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OLD LOVE STORIES 

WITH NEW VARIATIONS 



LAURA ISABEL IRELAND 













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OLD LOVE STORIES 

WITH NEW VARIATIONS, 

OR 

THE REWARD OF A USEFUL, 
UNSELFISH LIFE. 

7 Is: 

LAURA ISABEL IRELAND 



Published by 

AUSTIN PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
> LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 



Copyright, 1919, by 
LAURA ISABEL IRELAND 




©CI.A525911 


JUN 18 1919 


X 

t 




CONTENTS. 


Chapter Page 

Introduction ...... 5 

I. Lorane’ s School Days .... 7 

II. Lorane in Europe as a Red Cross Nurse . 10 

III. Alzaro Stanton’s Home in California . 17 

IV. Louise Stanton’s Charitable Work . . 29 

V. Alzaro and Homer Return from Europe . 34 

VI. Lorane’ s Return to America ... 39 

VII. Lorane and Her Friends in New York City 42 

VIII. Alzaro Visits His Uncle in New York City 58 

IX. Courtship and Engagement of Alzaro and Lorane 72 

X. The Haywards Return from their Pleasure Trip 83 

XI. Uncle Tom’s New Business Proposition . 93 

XII. The Reward of Love .... 100 

XIII. Uncle Tom Still Hopeful . . . 105 



INTRODUCTION. 

From my earliest recollection I had very high ideals, 
wonderful visions and great imaginations for the fu- 
ture, accompanied with exalted ideas as to what one 
must achieve in order to be successful, useful and 
happy in this present world. 

I was inspired by the most spiritually-minded 
writers of the Bible, and I besought Divine Wisdom 
to place in my hands the best books that would teach 
me the highest truths. 

I believed every one had latent talent, which if culti- 
vated and used would make him successful, unselfish 
and useful in all lines of work. I prayed earnestly to 
God to reveal to me my talent and to place me where 
I could serve Him best and do the greatest amount of 
good to the greatest number of people. 

One evening, while sitting in a public hall, waiting 
for a lecture to begin, a strange lady came in and took 
the seat nearest to me. She spoke to me, and we began 
discussing first one subject, then another. Finally she 
asked me if I wrote very much. I answered, No, that 
I had never written much except a few short poems. 
She then inquired if I would like to know what my 
greatest talent is. I replied that I certainly would and 
that I had been beseeching Divine Wisdom in its own 
wise way to reveal my talent to me and to help me use 
it for the good of my fellow beings. 

She said, “Your greatest gift is writing. Some day 
you will take up your pen and write.” 

Following this, I tried to write at several different 


6 


PREFACE 


times, but my most diligent efforts met with no 
success. 

One morning, however, just before awakening, I had 
a very vivid dream. I dreamed that a lady appeared 
to me — a very advanced soul — and she said to me : 

“I have come to assign people to their rightful place 
in the path of life. You will begin your work by writ- 
ing a book. The title of this book will be, 'Old Love 
Stories, with New Variations, or, The Reward of a 
Useful, Unselfish Life.’ 

"You will place your book before the minds of the 
people, especially young men and young women, to 
teach them the higher relations of love between men 
and women as it will exist between the sexes in the 
New Dispensation that will soon be ushered in. 

"Whoever reads and studies this book, acquires its 
true, spiritual meaning and makes its teachings practical 
in everyday life, will find a solution for every problem 
and be able to triumph over all difficulties. Then this 
book will have accomplished its mission, and its author 
will be rewarded by the same Spirit of Inspiration that 
guided its compilation.” 

So it was that as my dream or vision faded, the 
words of this book began coming into my mind spon- 
taneously and without effort. No longer was there a 
labored attempt to write, but instead there was the 
joyous expression of thoughts that flowed from my pen 
freely and fully, through no volition of my own, but a 
message from the great Infinite, sent to all those who 
long for happiness and perhaps wonder why they do 
not find it. To all such I say, Read, study, acquire and 
benefit by this message to you ! 

LAURA ISABEL IRELAND 
1315 West Avenue Fifty-one, Los Angeles, California. 


OLD LOVE STORIES, WITH NEW VARIA- 
TIONS, OR THE REWARD OF A USEFUL, 
UNSELFISH LIFE. 

CHAPTER I. 

Lorane’s School Days 

Lorane Mayhan was left an orphan at the age of six, 
without any means of support whatever. She had no 
relatives that she knew of, and but very few friends. 
However, one kind family, in good financial circum- 
stances, offered her a home, where she made herself 
useful as the little nurse of their five months' old baby. 

Lorane had never had a good home. She had gone 
to kindergarten but a few days and had received very 
little training. She was a very pretty little girl, with 
large bright, blue eyes, and light golden-brown ring- 
lets covering a well proportioned and good-shaped 
head. Her features were even and round, with a very 
soft, rosy complexion, and she possessed all the good 
qualities that were necessary to develop into a beauti- 
ful, bright and intelligent woman. 

Lorane was very happy in her new home, always 
singing like a lark and ready to assist with any kind 
of work. She soon became very much attached to the 
children of the family, who in turn were extremely 
fond of her, and with her cheerful, happy disposition 
it was not long until she became a favorite with the 
entire Allen family. 


8 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


They sent her to school with the rest of the children. 
She was very studious, brought home the best reports, 
and advanced so rapidly, from one grade to another, 
that all the teachers marveled at her unusual brightness. 

She loved to help the children in their little problems 
and was willing to give instructions in all lines of 
study. 

As she grew older they all came to rely on her sweet, 
unerring judgment more and more, and Mr. Allen 
often asked her advice as to what course to pursue in 
his business transactions, and when he would listen 
to her ideas and suggestions he would be successful 
far beyond his own expectations. 

Lorane graduated from the grammar school at the 
age of 14. She appreciated and loved her home and 
family, but she had a deep desire to earn her own living. 
She frequently discussed this matter with the Allens, 
expressing her own ideas as to what line of work she 
would like to take up and asking their advice. 

Her own ideas, however, were so much in advance 
of theirs and possessed so much merit that they re- 
frained from advising her beyond counseling her that 
she should go on with her studies until she had finished 
high school. 

While Lorane thanked them gratefully for their in- 
terest and kind counsel, she decided in her own mind 
that she should enter into some occupation without 
further delay. 

It was nearing Christmas time, and the downtown 
stores were advertising for help in all lines of work. 
Lorane applied for work in one of the large drygoods 
stores and was given a position at one of the notion 
counters. She did everything so neatly and nicely, 
and was so pleasant and polite to every one she came 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


9 


in contact with that the manager very quickly saw she 
was capable of holding a better position and transferred 
her to another department where she received higher 
wages. For thus she was very thankful and from her 
unselfish heart resolved to please her employer as well 
as her customers. 

In the same manner she made good everywhere she 
was placed until she soon ranked as the best sales- 
woman in the house. Her salary advanced with her 
preferment, and it was not long before she was not 
only paying all her living expenses but was able to 
fulfill her cherished ambition to take lessons in music, 
for Lorane was gifted with natural musical talent and 
the possessor of an unusually fine mezzo soprano voice, 
and the deepest desire of her heart was that she might 
become a great singer. To be sure, her employment 
left her but little time to devote to her music, but she 
gave every spare moment to its study and practice in 
order to realize the fulfillment of her beloved ideals. 

This, of course, meant rapid and sure progress, until 
her longing eyes seemed to see the fulfillment of her 
life-dream coming ever nearer and nearer, while her 
days grew fuller and sweeter with the satisfaction that 
work faithfully done ever yields. 


10 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


CHAPTER II. 

Lorane’s Appearance in Europe as a Red Cross Nurse. 

When war was declared against Germany Lorane 
Mayhan was among the first to offer her services. 
She loved to do good to suffering humanity, and she 
deemed it her duty, as well, to do all she could 
wherever most needed. 

She entered the Red Cross training school and in 
due time received a first-class certificate as a practical 
Red Cross nurse. She made all necessary arrange- 
ments required for the voyage and started with the 
first of those who left positions, home and friends to 
go to the battle fields in France. 

The nurses found plenty of work on the way over. 
There were the sick to be administered to, sad hearts 
to be comforted and the lonely to be cheered and 
strengthened. 

Lorane's first patient was a Captain, who never 
crossed the ocean without suffering terrible seasick- 
ness. This time he had an unusually bad attack, and 
the attending physician said that it would require the 
best of care and nursing to bring him through. Lorane, 
with a brave and courageous heart, resolved to do her 
best. 

“I can and I will!” was Lorane’s motto, whatever 
the work she entered into. She was gifted with great 
spiritual intuition and had advanced ideas, far above 
the ordinary, and was always kind and cheerful and 
happy when using her God-given talent so graciously 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


11 


given her, for all human needs wherever and when- 
ever called to serve without any selfish motives what- 
ever. 

She could not always conscientiously follow the 
doctor’s advice, but would follow the promptings of 
her own better judgment. All of the physicians were 
amazed and astonished at the amazingly rapid recov- 
ery made by her patient who was so very low when 
she undertook his care and questioned her closely as 
to the methods she had employed. 

With simple candor she told them that she had no 
method, but acted on the first good impression that 
came to her mind. 

“I always look on the bright side of all problems,” 
she assured them, “and ask Divine Love to guide me to 
the right action. I never entertain any dark, sad or 
evil forebodings, nor allow my mind to harbor sugges- 
tions of any worrying nature whatever. I find that 
cheerfulness and good, loving, kind thoughts, words 
and acts for every one are the secrets of success in all 
lines of work.” 

Lorane gave concerts and sang patriotic songs in all 
parts of the ship. Her lovable ways soon made her a 
favorite with officers, crew and passengers. The cap- 
tain called on her to lend aid in various plans, and more 
than once the crew recognized her spiritual authority 
in emergencies. 

At one time, when a severe storm was aproaching, 
the captain and all the crew were very busy making all 
arrangements for the safety of those on board. Most 
of the passengers were badly frightened, some of them 
screaming and running wildly to and fro. Lorane, 
with her calm, peaceful presence of mind, mounted 
some high structure that had just been put in place 


12 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


to keep the waves off of the deck, where, with one 
hand clinging to the ropes and the other waving Old 
Glory, she sang in a loud, clear voice, “The Star 
Spangled Banner,” with new variations all of her own 
arrangement. Her smiling face and golden hair float- 
ing out from her uncovered head made her appear a 
veritable angel of light and a vision of promise to all 
who saw her. 

Soon the storm calmed and the passengers became 
quiet and peaceful, their sorrows changed to joy, their 
fright to composure and cheerfulness. So it was that 
Lorane, with first thought for others, ever met all 
threat of danger and won the love and confidence of 
all on board. 

At the end of the voyage, as Lorane was bidding her 
friends good bye, the Captain of the ship came to her, 
with tears in his large brown eyes, expressing his deep 
regret at their parting. He also complimented her on 
her good singing and her cheerful willingness to help 
in all lines of work and at all times of emergencies, 
and declared that he had never had a more pleasant 
trip across the ocean in all his experience. 

Lorane, in the hospital in France had many varied 
experiences. In her nursing of the soldiers, she won 
the love and deep appreciation of all to whom she 
ministered. She was given the name of the Ministering 
Angel, and all expressed their feelings of peace and 
quietness when under her calm influence. 

After Lorane had been in the hospital several months 
and encountered so much of the horrors that were to 
be met there, her health began to fail. She therefore 
began to think seriously of returning to her native 
country. She longed to see her old friends and again 
to resume the work that is required to make one a 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


13 


great singer. The stage from early childhood had had 
a great fascination for her, and she felt that her talent 
should be expressed there. 

She had not decided just when she would start for 
home, so kept right along with her duties in the 
hospital. She felt that just at the time she was needed 
awhile longer for some special work, and although the 
outlines of what that special mission might be were 
not clear to her yet, she was willing to be patient and 
await future developments. 

One morning, after one of the hardest drives, the 
ambulance brought to the hospital a young officer, who 
was found lying on the ground in an unconscious 
state, his face and eyes badly burned with the poison- 
ous gas. His condition was very critical, and the phy- 
sicians knew that the most skillful care and nursing 
would be required to save his life. They called for 
the best nurses to assist them in bandaging and dress- 
ing his wounds, and after they had finished their work 
they bade the nurses good bye, thanking them for their 
bravery and cheerfulness which they had manifested 
throughout the trying ordeal of the operation. 

They consigned the wounded man to the especial 
care of Lorane, who had won the honor of being con- 
sidered the best nurse in the hospital. She sat silently 
by his side, with a prayer in her soul for his recovery. 
In a few minutes she noticed symptoms of returning 
consciousness. 

She took his hand and gently asked him if he was 
comfortable. Moving his head a little, he replied, 
“Yes, thank God, I am.” 

After he became entirely conscious and was able to 
bear it, Lorane thought best to tell him all about how 
and why he came to be in the hospital. He listened 


14 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


intently, then thanked her and asked wistfully if she 
would not help him to forget it all. 

“With all my heart I will,” she answered him 
tenderly. 

And then Lorane prayed as she never had before, 
with her soul filled with faithfulness to God, imploring 
that the wounded man should have erased from his 
consciousness all the horrible scenes of the past, his 
mind filled with the glory and joy of living and placed 
where he could be of the best use for the good of his 
fellow beings. 

The young captain lapsed into a natural, peaceful 
sleep, and while sleeping had a vision. He dreamed 
that he was back in good old Southern California, living 
in a neat, beautiful home on his 50-acre ranch, which 
was given to him by his Uncle Tom on his twenty-first 
birthday. 

In his vision he saw a beautiful young woman, with 
blue eyes, light golden wavy hair, rosy complexion and 
a bright, sunny, smiling face as his helpmeet. 

Alzaro knew in his dream he had seen this fair 
maiden somewhere but his dream was of such a mystic- 
al nature, he could not remember it all on first awak- 
ening. 

Lorane wondered as she sat by his side why she 
seemed to take more interest in this young man than 
she had ever done with all her other patients and so 
longed for his entire and complete recovery and so 
earnestly desired to see his face and know something of 
his past life. She also wondered if he was a native of 
the United States, or of France, England or Italy. 

However she quickly dismissed this thought wander- 
ing from her mind and began to thank God for his 
loving kindness and mercies, knowing full well that he 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


15 


would reveal to her all that he in his own wise judg- 
ment wished her to know. 

As she sat silent, watching her patient, a new poem 
came to her mind, whose rhythm seemed gradually to 
fall into certain strains of music. While she was 
setting the words to the music, humming the softer 
tones her patient awoke. He asked for a drink of 
water, and while Lorane was preparing this he raised 
himself, sat upright in bed, helping himself as though 
nothing had happened to him. 

Now, the patient had been awake a few minutes 
before and had been listening to Lorane’s singing. The 
physicians had forbidden Lorane conversing with her 
patients, but she saw that in this case it would not hurt 
him to express himself a little. 

He tried several times to remove the bandages from 
his eyes, as he desired very much to see the face of his 
kind and loving nurse. This, however, she would not 
permit him to do, thinking it better that his eyes should 
have time to become accustomed to the light after 
being so seriously injured. 

They sat in this way for some time, chatting happily 
about music. The patient had taken his feet off the 
bed and was sitting up, declaring that he felt as well 
as he ever had in his whole life. Just at this time some 
of the doctors opened a side door, coming in to see 
about their dangerously ill patient. To their great 
surprise and astonishment they witnessed a scene that 
they could not at once persuade themselves was real. 
They had thought it would require several days with 
the best of care, before there would even be much 
change in his condition. 

The patient on his part at once began begging them 
to remove the bandage from his eyes. This they would 


16 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


not consent to, but told him that he was improving so 
nicely that he must not spoil it now by impatience; 
that they would be back in a short time and would 
then take whatever course seemed best to insure his 
speedy recovery. 

They praised and congratulated Lorane for her wise 
judgment and nursing, and hoped she would remain 
with them to the end. “We feel your good natural 
healing powers and appreciate your wise, unerring 
judgment. You have been a great and willing helper 
in most all the trying and critical cases.” They asked 
God’s blessing to accompany her all through life, bid- 
ding her good-bye; they turned to remove the band- 
age from Alzaro’s face. 

Just then another physician came and called for 
Lorane, whom he wished to assist him in a very bad 
case of pneumonia that had suddenly attacked one of 
the nurses. She shook hands with her patient, little 
dreaming that this would be their last meeting for 
some time to come. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


17 


CHAPTER III. 

Alzaro Stanton’s Home in California. 

Near the foothills overlooking one of the most 
beautiful and picturesque valleys in the glorious climate 
of Southern California, on a large ranch crowned with 
lemon, orange and walnut trees, there cozily nestles a 
typical California bungalow, albeit built on rather a 
more palatial scale than usual. A thoroughly up-to- 
date modern house, its twelve spacious rooms provide 
an appropriate setting for the residence of Stanley 
Stanton, retired capitalist, with his sainted wife Eliza- 
beth, the mother of four bright and happy children. 

Alzaro, the eldest, is a handsome young man, 21 
years of age, with fine physique, straight, athletic 
figure, large brown eyes, dark and slightly curling hair 
and fine olive complexion. Standing 5 feet and 11 
inches high and a weight of 150 pounds, he reflects 
credit on the training received at his college, having 
(just graduated from one of the best educational in- 
stitutions in the state of California. 

Louise, a fair young maiden of 18 summers has deep 
blue eyes, dark golden wavy hair, a rosy complexion 
and a graceful and well-proportioned form. She gradu- 
ated from high school at the age of 17, is naturally 
gifted with an unusually rich contralto voice and pos- 
sesses a fairly good musical education. She has never 
expressed herself as to what line of work she would 
like to take up, but is very devoted to her parents and 
seems to be perfectly contented to remain home and 


18 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


help her dear mother care for the two younger children, 
Tom, aged 9 years, and Grace, 4, and assist with the 
house duties. 

Mr. Stanton has in his service a very refined and 
well educated Japanese, named Canngo Cong, who has 
his wife and two nice, obedient children with him. 
These faithful Japanese have been with the Stantons 
for several years. They are always ready and willing 
to assist the family along all lines of work when needed. 
They live near by on a portion of the ranch, in a neat 
cottage planned and built according to specifications 
furnished by the Japanese himself, after the style of 
his native home. 

Mr. Stanton is very kind to his Japanese assistants 
and pays them well for their labor. In fact, he could 
not do otherwise, being a firm believer in the Father- 
hood of God and the brotherhood of man, deeming 
every one, regardless of color or nationality, his brother 
in Christ. 

Alzaro since graduating from college had not 
thought of taking up any kind of work, but was willing 
to assist Cong in the flower garden. He loved flowers, 
and admired the style and artistic methods of the Jap- 
anese in arranging everything to harmonize. 

One morning he took his long pruning knife out to 
cut away some useless branches from the honeysuckle 
arbor near the front gate. It was one of those soft, 
balmy breezy days that stirs the heart of all nature in 
California. The foothills had been visited a few days 
previously with refreshing showers, and everywhere 
orchards, lawns, shade trees and shrubbery were put- 
ting forth their new dress of vernal green in response 
to the welcome rain, so much appreciated in spring 
time. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


19 


Alzaro was busy trimming the vines, whistling a 
patriotic air as he did so, when he caught the musical 
strains of a mocking bird, which had selected the top- 
most branch of a beautiful magnolia tree, where its 
golden throat was voicing praise to the All-Good in a 
melody so wonderful that it seemed incredible it could 
be produced by so small a specimen of God's handi- 
work. 

Alzaro wondered as he listened to the last notes if 
this songster had a mate close by that made him seem 
so happy, also why it was that he had never selected 
any particular one more than another of his school- 
mates to care for, but admired all alike. He often 
thought of Homer Moery and his sister Louise, — how 
happy they were together, how gentlemanly Homer 
always acted in her presence, and how glad, cheerful 
and willing he always was to assist her in all her little 
troubles. 

And what an expression of love, smiles and cheer- 
fulness Louise manifested when referring Homer's 
good, manly and generous qualities. 

While pondering all this in his heart, he heard a 
rustling among the leaves overhead, and looking up he 
saw that his little feathered friend had returned with its 
mate. They hopped, skipped and flitted from one bough 
to another, then would dive down to get something to 
eat or the lily pond for a drink. They busily carried 
bits of string to weave into a nest which they were 
preparing for their future home and young ones. The 
singer was not so industrious as its mate, but would 
perch itself on its chosen bough and pour out its heart 
in song while its mate did the work of building the nest. 

To Alzaro it seemed that the bird sang sweeter and 
louder than before now that its mate was near. Just as 


20 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


it seemed to attain its most exalted state and to sing 
with the sweetest inspiration, Alzaro saw a young lady 
walking slowly along. She had a heavy veil wrapped 
closely around her head, nothing but her eyes revealed. 
She had caught the strains of the little feathered song- 
ster, and was almost tiptoeing as she passed along, lest 
the noise of her footfalls would disturb it and cause it 
to cease its singing. She paused just opposite the 
magnolia tree, gazing upward to catch a glimpse of 
the bird. 

Alzaro, whom she had not yet observed, thought that 
she had the most beautiful blue eyes of any woman he 
had ever seen, — eyes as blue as the skies above and 
filled with tender love as she drank in the sweet melody 
of the mocking bird. 

She listened in breathless silence until the last notes 
died away, then softly clapping her hands, said, “Thank 
you, dear fellow songbird. I, too, love to sing. I am 
on my way now to practice the songs I shall sing to- 
night at the Orpheum for the Red Cross benefit. I 
trust I can give some one the same joy, hope and 
pleasure by my singing that you have just given me 
with your lovely song this afternoon. Good-bye !” 

So saying she turned and hurried on her way, all 
unconscious of the presence of any one near by. 
Alzaro watched her until she reached the little station, 
where she took a car that carried her from his sight 
but not from his thoughts. When it was too late, he 
reproached himself bitterly that he had not availed 
himself of the opportunity to address her and let her 
know that he had been near and overheard her words 
to the mocking bird. 

Alzaro well knew by the emotions of his own heart 
that they were sometime and somewhere to meet again. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


21 


and made up his mind to be patient and trust to Divine 
Love to arrange that time and place. He could not 
quite understand the new light that was filling his soul 
and that his young love dreams were soon to be 
realized. 

<f Is there really a soul mate ordered by Divine Wis- 
dom for me?” he questioned his inner consciousness 
eagerly. “It seems to me as if the new awakening is 
coming, — is very close.” 

Alzaro kept on busily pruning the vines, not caring 
to have his thoughts diverted from the new light that 
life was manifesting to him since seeing those heavenly 
blue eyes. He was aroused from his pleasing reverie 
by the shrill whistle of his little brother Tommy, re- 
minding him that the dinner hour was near and it was 
time for him to get ready. 

That evening after dinner was over Alzaro went to 
his room and dressed himself as if going out. He then 
went to the music room, where Louise was practicing 
a new piece presented her by Homer, whom she ex- 
pected to call later that they might practice together. 
Alzaro kissed his sister Good Night, telling her that 
he was going into the city to the Orpheum, as there 
was something special there that he wanted to hear. 
He promised her that he would tell her all about it the 
next day. 

On arriving at the theater, Alzaro bought a ticket in 
one of the best boxes. There, seated comfortably, 
looking over the program, he saw by the synopsis that 
the first number to be presented was the rendition of 
an old story he had read when a mere boy. 

It was the narrative of a young prince, whom his 
parents had forbidden to look on a beautiful girl, attach- 
ing the penalty that if he did so and was caught at it 


22 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


he would lose his crown. A sweet and lovely youthful 
singer became infatuated with this prince, but would 
not allow herself to meet him, knowing what the con- 
sequences to him would be in that event. However, 
she would get as near to him as possible, without re- 
vealing her face, and entertain him by her glorious 
voice in song. She always concealed herself where 
he could not see her, but could hear her sing. 

This his parents did not object to, — in fact they 
rather approved of it, as they thought it a good idea 
just to let him listen but not to look on her face. 

Alzaro felt as he thought the prince must have done 
when he heard the sweet notes of the singer, but could 
not see her beautiful face illumined by those deep blue 
eyes again. He knew intuitively that it was the same 
voice that he had heard speak this same afternoon, as 
his heart responded to the same emotions of love that 
had swept over it a few hours before. 

He felt sorry for the rich young prince who knew he 
could never realize the hope of his young love dreams, 
nor enjoy the company of the sweet singer who so 
mysteriously had won the affections of his young 
tender heart. 

Alzaro left the theater that night, not with disap- 
pointment, but with a firm determination to win. He 
well knew that he must culivate patience and courage 
before he could hope to win the heart of any true and 
trustworthy woman, and he was willing to undergo 
such training if it was necessary to prepare him for 
the wise and loving companion he desired. 

He implored Divine Wisdom to teach him to act 
wisely and help him to solve every problem that came 
to him. Alzaro had been taught from earliest child- 
hood to trust the all-providing law of an all-good 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


23 


Father, and now, with a prayer to God end full con- 
fidence in his all-loving care, he resolveo to make the 
best of whatever came. He knew that iv was the law 
of God that our own would come to us if we wait pa- 
tiently on the Lord and expect nothing ibut the best, 
for, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,” and so 
will he be. 


When the war was first declared and soldiers were 
called for, Alzaro was among the first to enlist. He 
did not believe that the right path to freedom was 
through the shedding of men’s blood, but he saw the 
awful condition in which the nations of the world were 
involved and knew that man’s every effort was there- 
fore necessary. He was perfectly willing to go wher- 
ever sent and to serve at whatever work he should be 
given to do. 

Several of Alzaro’s college friends enlisted and all 
left for the battlefields in France the same 
time. Louise proposed to her mother that before they 
left for Europe they should give Alzaro and his friends 
one of his favorite dinners. 

Mrs. Stanton decided, therefore, on a good old- 
fashioned chicken-pie dinner, the kind she knew that 
Alzaro liked the most, accompanied with all the other 
good things that go to make up a chicken dinner. She 
knew from long experience what would appeal to the 
appetite of college boys, and spared no time or expense 
to prepare the most tempting relishes she or Louise 
could concoct. 

The dinner was arranged for the day before the boys 
were to start to Camp Lewis, where they were to 
receive their preliminary training before being sent 
abroad to actual warfare over the seas. The dinner 


24 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


table was exquisitely decorated with the loveliest roses 
and ferns the flower garden produced, selected and 
arranged by Louise, whose artistic taste in arranging 
flowers and harmonizing colors was absolutely perfect. 

The boys had been engaged all afternoon in an ex- 
citing game of baseball and therefore had appetites 
sharpened to the utmost capacity. After the game, 
they had all gone to their various homes, where they 
attired themselves in their evening suits, and returning 
gathered in the elegantly furnished drawing room, still 
jubilant over their victory in the game of the afternoon. 

Mrs. Stanton announced dinner, and the boys were 
ready to do justice to her well-prepared meal. Mr. 
Stanton invited the boys to walk in, Alzaro bringing 
up the rear. As they entered the dining room they 
were greeted by old patriotic airs, a medley, beginning 
with, '‘Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys Are March- 
ing !” which added greatly to their merriment. They 
all stood around the table silently, listening to the 
music, the family looking at each other in smiling 
amusement. 

Finally Mr. Stanton seized a large silver spoon from 
the table, and using it for a baton beckoned all to join 
in singing. This was one of Tom's original ideas, for, 
being anxious to help entertain Alzaro’s old friends he 
had brought in his own Victrola from the domestic 
animal zoo, where he had been giving the animals a 
Red Cross concert. He placed the instrument behind 
the folds of Old Glory, whose revered stars and stripes 
had been beautifully draped and decorated by Louise 
especially for this occasion. 

Mrs. Stanton then seated them all in their designated 
places, the young men all on one side of the table, the 
children on the other, with Mr. Stanton at the head 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


25 


of the table ready to do the honors, Mrs. Stanton oppo- 
site, to serve hot drinks to those who wished them. 
The faithful Japanese and his wife were standing near 
the door into the kitchen, in readiness to assist when- 
ever needed. 

Mr. Stanton, a man of medium size, well-groomed 
and young looking for his age, was of a very generous- 
hearted, jovial nature and had a good cheering word 
for all with whom he came in contact. Louise sat 
next to her father, to help serve the vegetables. She 
wore a pale blue chiffon, combined with a darker shade 
of velvet. Around her neck was a handsome diamond 
and pearl necklace, one of her graduating presents from 
the family, while a small bunch of delicate pink Cecil 
Brunner roses at her waist and two or three buds 
against a back ground of green leaves nestling in her 
rich golden brown hair added the last touch of per- 
fection to her beautiful costume. 

Mrs. Stanton was gowned in a rich cream French 
satin, with black velvet trimming. She wore no orna- 
ments except a magnificent ruby, pearl and diamond 
brooch, presented to her by her husband on their wed- 
ding day. 

They all chatted merrily, dwelling only on the 
pleasant things of life and enjoying Mr. Stanton's 
jokes. The youths ate their dinner with much zest and 
thankful hearts and many expressions of praise and 
appreciation to Mrs. Stanton and Louise for the good 
dinner and fautless service, especially some new and 
tasteful salad dishes. They extravagantly compli- 
mented Louise on her good taste in decorating, and 
declared that everything was arranged to the Queen's 
taste ! 

After dinner, the boys begged Louise to sing some 


26 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


of her new songs to them, which she consented to do 
with the greatest pleasure. She was anxious that they 
should hear the lovely silver tones of her new Baby 
Grand piano, a recent gift from her Uncle Tom in New 
York. Nor was she disappointed in their outspoken 
admiration, and very willingly she continued entertain* 
ing the party, rendering for them some of the latest 
and most difficult operatic selections, ably assisted by 
Homer Moery, who was gifted with a very fine lyric 
tenor voice. 

At a later hour than the boys had anticpated remain- 
ing they arose to take their departure, with many 
thanks to the entire family for having given them the 
most enjoyable occasion of their whole life. 

Homer Moery lingered in the drawing room with 
the family after the others had gone, as he wished to 
make a few arrangements for their journey the next 
day, since they were all to leave for Camp Lewis the 
following morning. 

Homer had been a classmate of Louise all through 
the grammar school and up to their graduating day. 
He was a favorite with all the family and one of 
Alzaro’s best friends, whose boon companion he had 
been throughout their college days, working along the 
same lines and graduating the same day. 

Louise and Homer had become very much attached 
to each other since his return from college. His fine 
tenor voice, so often accompanying her in her music, 
had found a home in her heart and inspired her with 
a new outlook for the future. 

Homer shook hands with Mr. and Mrs. Stanton and 
Alzaro and turned to bid Louise good night. A few 
minutes previously she had slipped from the room and 
was just re-entering the door with two neatly wrapped 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


27 


packages, one for Homer and the other for her brother, 
which she made them promise they would not open 
until they had reached Camp Lewis. 

She had made each of them a comfort bag, hand- 
somely embroidered. Homer’s was decorated with a 
small bunch of his favorite Cecil Bruner rosebuds, en- 
circled with a dainty wreath of pale blue forget-me- 
nots. The bags were filled with the most useful and 
costly articles Louise could purchase. There was also 
a little book for each, with the best affirmations she 
could find for each day’s needs. Alzaro’s bag was em- 
broidered with his favorite flower — Caroline Testout 
rosebuds. 

The boys expressed their gratitude for the gifts with 
grateful hearts, Alzaro remarking that he was begin- 
ning to be hungry for the contents of his already ! 

Homer, with his package in one hand and hat in 
another, and another good night, bowed himself away 
from the family, out of the house into the moonlight. 
And as he walked along by the sweetly scented flower 
beds he wondered why the flowers seemed more frag- 
rant than usual, why the stars shone more brilliantly 
and the moon’s pale sphere was nearer and softer than 
he had ever noticed before. He also reflected in vague 
surprise that Louise’s good influence and smiling face 
never seemed to leave his consciousness. All these 
things he pondered over as he walked slowly home that 
night, with an air of lightness, and his heart filled with 
a tender joy that he had never experienced before. 

The next morning, the day of their departure, the 
boys all met at Alzaro’s home, the family having 
arranged to accompany them to the station to see 
them off. 

The hour had arrived for their departure. Canngo 


28 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


Cong, the Japanese, brought the big family touring 
car from the garage, which was soon packed to its ut- 
most capacity, and all were merry and happy as a lot 
of school children on a picnic day. 

They arrived at the station just in time to see their 
train come in. The boys bade everyone a hurried good 
bye, seized their baggage, stepped on the train and 
rushed to the rear end of the last coach. As the train 
pulled out they waved their flags, singing “The Star 
Spangled Banner,” until a turn in the road took them 
out of sight and their voices out of hearing. 

Nor did the young men forget these kind friends 
who had entertained them so royally ere they left home. 
They all wrote the Stantons several times on their way 
to Camp Lewis, and each mail brought a card or letter 
as a reminder of their love and friendship. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


29 


CHAPTER IV. 

Louise Stanton’s Good Work in the Church 
and Among the Sick in Her Own 
Neighborhood. 

After the boys had been gone but a few days Louise 
experienced such a unusual feeling of loneliness that 
she attributed it to a useless, selfish life. There was 
very little at home to occupy her. The children were 
not much care, — in fact Tom took all the care of Gracie 
and the Japanese assistants did all the hard, laborious 
work. 

Louise was tired of fancy work and longed to be out 
doing something for suffering humanity and working in 
the service of her fellow beings. She began to study 
over what she might do to the best advantage, and a 
host of opportunities presented themselves to her mind 
in a few minutes. The first she thought of was a poor 
widow, whose oldest son had been drafted and who was 
then in a training camp and who was the only support 
of his mother and three little children. 

Louise directed Cong to bring her electric car to the 
door, calling Tom and Gracie and asking them if they 
would like to take a little ride. 

“Certainly, we will be delighted,” answered Tom; 
“just wait a few minutes until we can corral our tur- 
keys. Congo say they are eating all the vegetables up.” 

Tom and Gracie, with the help of Congo, were driv- 
ing them through the gateway, when one of the large 
turkeys caught its foot in a tangled wire and in its 


30 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


effort to free itself it broke one of its legs. The Jap 
said it must be killed immediately. Louise then told 
him to kill and dress it, as she would like to take some 
of it to a poor lady a short distance away, whose only 
support had been drafted for the war. 

While Congo was preparing the turkey, Louise and 
her mother gathered up quite a bundle of good clothing, 
and some dried and canned goods of various kinds. 

Louise and the two children then started on Louise's 
first charity work for the poor. 

On arriving at this poor neighbor's home they found 
her sick in bed, with but very little provisions in the 
house. Her little 7-year old daughter was her only 
nurse, cook and housekeeper, and also had the care of 
her two little brothers, aged three and five years. 

Louise and her little brother and sister spent a couple 
of hours here. Tom and Grade romped and played with 
the children while Louise put the turkey on to cook 
when she first entered the house as she saw that the 
sick woman was very much in need of nourishing food. 
Before she left she had her patient drink some of the 
broth, which revived and strengthened her so that she 
was able to sit up and enjoy the many other useful 
things which Louise had brought her. 

As Louise was preparing to take her leave, Mrs. King 
clung to her hands, and while tears of joy and thank- 
fulness streamed down her face she thanked God for 
sending Louise to her at the time of her greatest need. 
She also thanked Louise most fervently and begged her 
to come again in a few days, which Louise promised 
to do. She also told Mrs. King that when she needed 
anything it would not only be a pleasure to her but to 
her mother and all the family as well to furnish it. 

Louise and the children called at several other 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


31 


places where assistance was greatly needed, promising 
to come the next day with the things that were most 
essential for relief. 

Tom and Gracie never seemed to tire talking of the 
good work in which they were engaged. 

Louise many, many times, as often as it was conveni- 
ent, took the little Sunday school children out on hikes 
and picnics in Mr. Stanton's large auto-truck, and some- 
times she would drive them to a street car line, where 
she would have a car chartered; but either way the 
delighted children always said they had a “high, swell 
time." 

She observed that the little church which Gracie and 
Tom attended needed a larger pulpit and a larger 
rostrum for the choir, and brought the subject up 
before her parents, who did a great deal of charitable 
church work. They fell in with her ideas and plans, 
as they were very much pleased to see her take so much 
interest in the church and Sunday school work, as well 
as giving so much attention to the poor and needy 
of the neighborhood. 

Louise further notified the trustees of her ideas as 
to what seemed to be needed in church improvements. 
They did not approve, however, as the church was so 
much in debt that they thought it would be unwise to 
involve it in deeper indebtedness, stating that other- 
wise they would be much pleased to have the needed 
addition. 

“Mr. Green," Louise replied, “you would accept a 
donation for the improvement, would you not? I have 
a party in mind who has promised to furnish the money 
that will be required to meet all expenses for the addi- 
tion and whatever other improvements we might 
choose to make. Now, with your consent, I will order 


32 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


all the materials that will be required, we will engage 
all necessary help, and begin at once.” 

“Oh, surely, surely !” exclaimed Mr. Green, the other 
trustee heartily concurring with him ; “nothing would 
be more appreciated by the members of the congrega- 
tion than to see your plans carried out. And on our 
part we will see to it that a very neat, pretty and attrac- 
tive addition is erected, which will give grace to the 
little chapel beyond our present vision.” 

Mr. and Mrs. Stanton gave large donations. They 
did not believe in letting the left hand know what the 
right hand was doing. In other words, they did not 
like to boast of their charity work, but preferred to 
keep it between themselves and their God. 

A few weeks of steady, busy working on the part 
of all the members of the church found the little chapel 
with its attractive addition and a new coat of paint, 
looking fresh and clean, both outside and within. All of 
this was mostly planned by Louise's artistic designs 
and reflected great credit on her good taste and 
arrangement of harmonious coloring. 

The trustees found that after paying all bills for the 
new addition they had more than enough remaining to 
pay off the entire indebtedness of the church, for which 
they were extremely thankful. The church grew in 
numbers and many souls were added to its member- 
ship, while attendance at the Sunday school greatly 
increased, the house being filled to overflowing at 
every service. 

Of course, Louise was loved and admired, and her 
wonderful musical talent was much appreciated by all. 
In addition to her other aid for the church, she pre- 
sented them with her beautiful upright mahogany piano 
which her father had given her for her fifth birthday 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


33 


present. She had never used it since receiving her 
elegant Baby Grand piano from her Uncle Tom on her 
eighteenth birthday. She therefore had the old up- 
right tuned and repaired, when its tones proved as 
sweet and musical as at the time it first came into her 
own home. 

Louise was a bright light in her community, and 
made herself very useful in all lines of work. She joined 
the Red Cross organization, where her executive ability 
was soon recognized. She made all the arrangements 
for benefit concerts, singing solos and playing the 
piano on all ocacsions where needed in her own neigh- 
borhood. 

Louise learned by experience that a useful, unselfish 
life is the secret of a happy, prosperous, successful life. 

To those who are seeking a message, 

You can a messenger be, 

By sending kind thoughts to the lonely, 

On the land or upon the deep sea. 

The smiles from our hearts always gladden 
The friends that we meet on our way, 

And the souls that more light are beseeching 
We can help up the rough, rugged way. 

By kind words that are spoken sincerely 
We can change the sad thoughts of our friends, 

Lift them up out of gloom, dark and dreary, 

To a joy that for them never ends. 

(See version on page 85.) 


34 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


CHAPTER V. 

Alzaro and Homer Return from Europe. 

Homer Moery while on the field of action in 
France fell a victim to bursting shells. In writing 
home later he did not mention anything about his 
accident either to Louise or his father and mother. He 
did not want to worry them or keep them in unneces- 
sary suspense as to the state of his health, which he 
knew would be the result if he should give them the 
least hint about his wound. 

He was kept in the hospital several weeks. There 
were two or three severe scars on his left cheek and 
one on his right arm. The flesh was slow in healing, 
and Homer was afraid that there would be permanent, 
ugly scars left after he had fully recovered. However 
he received the best of care and treatment, and the 
physicians finally assured him that there would remain 
no marks of his wounds that could be noticed without 
the closest observation. 

He had written bright, cheerful letters throughout 
all, saying that he was doing well, that he believed the 
war soon would be over and all the boys would be 
coming back to America again. He told them that he 
longed to be at home again as all of them had had 
about as much of the war as they really enjoyed and 
hoped and prayed for the day when peace would be 
declared. 

Alzaro also suffered severely from wounds he re- 
ceived, but especially from poisonous gas, being con- 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


35 


fined to the hospital sometime. It was therefore with 
much joy that he and Homer hailed the news of the 
signing of the armistice. They were among the first 
to receive orders to return to the United States, and 
were eager to board the ship and be on their way sail- 
ing aagin to their own country. 

Alzaro had entirely recovered from his accident, but 
Homer was slow in his improvement, although he was 
gaining strength every day and hoped that by the time 
they had reached the end of their homeward journey he 
would be entirely well. The thought of again seeing 
Louise, his father and mother and all the old friends 
braced him up as nothing else could have done. 

On the way home they encountered two very severe 
storms at sea. Some of the crew lost their lives in try- 
ing to save imperiled passengers, but beyond this no 
serious casualties occurred, and after the havoc and 
great loss of lives that occurred on the battle front in 
France these accidents did not seem so terrible as they 
once would have done. 

The returning heroes, whose minds were shocked and 
saddened by the horrors of the warfare through 
which they had passed, all pledged themselves not to 
think or speak of what had been undergone and seen 
any more than was inevitable. We all find that by 
changing the tenor of a gloomy conversation we soon 
forget the unpleasant side of life and through our own 
brighter outlook are thereby enabled to help others 
out of their troubles and difficulties. 


One morning the mail brought Louise a letter, stat- 
ing that Alzaro and Homer would reach New York 
the last of December or the first of the year. It ex- 
plained how Alzaro and Homer had been released from 


36 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


service, as Alzaro’s eyes were still feeling the effects 
of the poison gas, while Homer’s health was such that 
the attending physicians had after a consultation de- 
cided that the two boys must be immediately dis- 
charged from the army and allowed to return to 
America to recuperate. 

So it was that they soon after gratefully stepped 
again on their native soil, feeling that they had faith- 
fully borne their part while war’s terrors called for 
their service and were now entitled to the joys of a 
well-earned rest. 

Homer’s anticipations of completely restored health 
by the time they reached the United States were not 
realized, as he found that his shattered nerves would 
not seem to recuperate. After he reached home, 
dspite all that could be done for him, his health still 
remained badly impaired. For a few weeks all hoped 
for a change for the better, until one night he was 
suddenly taken very ill with pneumonia. The best 
doctors and nurses were summoned. Louise also im- 
mediately offered her good services. 

He continued to grow worse, however, until the 
third day he lapsed into a state of unconsciousness. 
Louise, with her faithfulness and never-ceasing prayers 
to God for his recovery, remained by his side through 
out the night. 

In the morning, after two hours of natural sleep, just 
at the break of dawn, he aroused from his sleep, his 
fever having all dispersed and his pulse being normal. 

With a calm, peaceful countenance, he opened his 
eyes and looked up at Louise, saying, “Thank God, 
darling one, you have saved my life.” They talked for 
sometime in their usual manner, neither caring for any- 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


37 


thing but just to be with each other and cheer and 
make each other happy. 

It was truly a happy time. The sun had risen and 
its bright cheerful rays were streaming into the room, 
filling it with healthful, invigorating ozone. The little 
birds outside were pouring out their hearts in songs 
of glad jubilee, rendering praise to the Giver of All- 
Good. 

Louise felt that God had entirely healed her lover in 
answer to her prayers. She rose from her chair by his 
bedside and told him that she was going out to pre- 
pare his breakfast. 

“You can get up and dress yourself,” she said, “and 
come out to the breakfast room. We will have a good 
breakfast together, and in a very short time.” 

She knew very well what would please his appetite 
and that he was ready for a good warm meal. Homer 
in a short time came bounding out, singing and happy, 
gay and free as a schoolboy. He and Louise ate their 
breakfast with hearts filled with gratitude to God for 
his loving kindness and tender mercies. 

Homer partook freely of the daintily prepared repast, 
when just as they were about through the doctor came 
through, and stopped in the door, as surprised as if he 
beheld one risen from the dead. Homer rose, offered 
his hand, and smilingly said : “Don't this look natural?” 

He turned to Louise, and taking both of her hands 
in his, thanked her again and again for her good work. 

“God has given you a wonderful gift of healing,” 
he assured her; “and it is my earnest hope that you 
will use it for the benefit of suffering humanity, when- 
ever opportunity presents itself.” 

Mr. and Mrs. Moery came in just in time to witness 
the most enjoyable scene that they had ever experi- 


38 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


enced. Here was their only son, whom all the phy- 
sicians had but a few short hours ago given up to die, 
alive and well, and to all appearance manifesting per- 
fect health and looking as though he had never had a 
moment’s illness in all his life. 

Louise telephoned to her parents right away of 
Homer’s recovery. They also were overjoyed and told 
her to have Homer and his parents come over to their 
place and spend the day with them, and all would eat 
and drink together to Homer’s good health. 

All at the Moery’s were delighted with the idea and 
as soon as breakfast was finished they jumped into 
Louise’s electric car, and soon both families were re- 
joicing together over the great change that had come 
to Homer. 

Homer at once on his recovery from his sickness 
began the construction of a new house for them, taking 
the entire supervision of its building, and preparing 
the grounds. He had shade trees, shrubbery and all 
kinds of fruit trees planted and soon everything was 
in fine growing condition. 

But Louise and Homer did not confine their efforts 
to working for their own happiness. They sang in all 
benefit concerts, wherever called on. Homer also loved 
to assist Louise in her charitable work, and went with 
her on many of her visits to the poor widows and 
orphans, whose husbands, fathers or sons had been 
taken from them in various ways. They provided all 
these with the necessaries of everyday life, and assisted 
in procuring employment for all the needy ones who 
were able to work, and also in many, many ways helped 
the returning soldier boys to find suitable and remuner- 
ative occupations. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


39 


CHAPTER VI. 

Lorane’s Return to U. S. A. 

Lorane’s hospital experiences in France were many 
and varied. Although the harrowing scenes were tell- 
ing on her, mentally and physically, she never protested 
or ceased her faithful ministrations, and faithfully 
obeyed orders, until she was finally awakened to the 
fact that her health was rapidly failing under the strain. 

She decided at once therefore to resign from her 
work and return to the United States. She and other 
nurses who were homeward bound made their arrange- 
ments to start on the next boat that sailed for New 
York. 

When they were a few days out at sea, Lorane, in 
accordance with her usual custom, was on deck to 
watch the beautiful sunrise. It was one of those peace- 
ful, quiet mornings, the heavens all aglow with the 
splendor of the eastern sky, where the rising sun was 
doing its best to send its illumination all over the 
world. 

Lorane suddenly noticed a rather sad-looking elderly 
couple, standing with their backs to the sun that was 
just making its appearance above the placid rippling 
waters of old ocean. To Lorane everything seemed to 
be dancing in a jubilee of thanksgiving and praise to 
the Giver of All-Good for his unspeakable goodness and 
his gifts to men. But the old couple’s faces expressed 
deep sorrow and trouble. 

Lorane longed to cheer them and thought by speak- 


40 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


ing to them she might divert their minds from their 
sadness. She advanced slowly toward them and 
smilingly offered her hands to each one of them. 

‘‘Good morning, friends/’ she greeted them. “I see 
that you are traveling back to America.” 

They both caught her extended hands, holding them 
in a fervent clasp, while smiles lit their saddened 
countenances. Almost in the same breath they both 
exclaimed : 

“How veiy much like our own dear Anna May!” 

They then related their sad story, how their only 
daughter and two sons had passed away a few months 
previously. Anna May, the daughter, was a Red 
Cross nurse, and had died very suddenly from gas 
poison, while their sons had fallen victims to pneu- 
monia. 

Lorane, who had been watching the sunrise, with a 
desire to draw their minds out of the darkness of grief, 
drew their attention to the beautiful rays of the rising 
luminary and soon all were chatting together very 
cheerfully. The sad hearts of the elderly couple found 
great comfort iri Lorane’s company. She would read 
to them from some good inspiring book or sing to 
them cheerful and beautiful songs. 

She nursed Mrs. Hayward through quite a sudden 
attack of lung trouble, and Mr. Hayward she brought 
out of a severe spell of seasickness. They began to look 
to her to help them through all their difficulties, which 
she was willing and glad to do for them. They recom- 
pensed her well for her kind and faithful attendance, 
for which she was very grateful. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hayward had no near relatives. They 
possessed a good income and owned a fine residence, 
magnificently furnished and surrounded with every- 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


41 


thing that heart could wish, situated in the suburbs 
of New York City. 

On the termination of their sea voyage, they insisted 
that Lorane should accompany them home and spend 
at least a few months with them. Lorane had talked 
much to them about the beautiful climate of California 
and praised it so highly that her friends began to think 
that a trip there and the change of climate might be 
very beneficial to them. They therefore promised her 
that if she would come and stay with them they would 
pay her beloved state a visit. 

Lorane decided very quickly to accept their kind in- 
vitation, and resolved that she would do all in her 
power to assist them in arranging matters so that they 
could make a long stay in California. 

This delighted the Haywards, who after making 
Lorane’s acquaintance had found the voyage quite 
enjoyable, and who felt that with her near them life 
might still prove worth living. 


42 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


CHAPTER VII. 

Lorane and Her New Friends Arrive in New York. 

On arriving in New York City, Mr. Hayward en- 
gaged rooms in a very fashionable downtown hotel, 
where he would be near his business office and his 
wife and Lorane close to the various places of amuse- 
ment. 

Mrs. Hayward and Lorane enjoyed themselves dur- 
ing the day visiting many interesting places of amuse- 
ment and historical spots. In the evenings Mr. Hay- 
ward would take them out to different musical enter- 
tainments, and Lorane’s soul was filled, and thrilled 
with new inspiration as she sat listening to the strains 
of fine orchestras and the great singers, admiring the 
grand scenes depicted on the stage and wondering if 
her own dreams of appearing in such surroundings 
would ever be realized. 

So many thoughts filled her mind, so many new 
ideas came to her in her absorbed enjoyment of these 
wonderful musical treats that her life seemed filled to 
the brim. Still, her thoughts often turned to the battle- 
fields of France, and especially dwelt upon the welfare 
of her last most interesting patient. She knew that 
he had recovered and was all right and had returned 
to duty, although she had not met him since so sud- 
denly summoned from his side when his head and face 
were still bandaged. She had learned from one of the 
other nurses who assisted in caring for him that he was 
a native of her own state of California. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


43 


This gave her great joy, for in her heart of hearts 
there dwelt the hope of once again meeting him. 

The Haywards spent a couple of weeks in New York 
City, then Mr. Hayward took them to thei r own 
country home. 

Iorane had enjoyed every minute of her stay in the 
city. She had made the acquaintance while there of 
several prominent solo singers, one of them the pos- 
sessor of a very fine tenor voice. He heard her sing 
some of her own copositions and at once fell very much 
in love with her. He offered her every inducement he 
could think of to join the company in which he had a 
leading part. He saw that she had great talent and 
that her wonderful voice would at once obtain recogni- 
tion, besides she would have the opportunity to culti- 
vate her talent in all lines of music. 

But Lorane loved her freedom and did not care to 
sign any contract that would interfere with her own 
ideas, besides she preferred traveling with her new 
friends. She desired also to see their country home, 
Westol. 

Mr. Hayward drove them out in his powerful Cadil- 
lac. They made the ride very interesting for Lorane, 
giving her as they went along bits of interesting history 
of some of the large and handsome mansions along the 
route. 

It was the last of December, and Lorane noticed the 
deadness of the lawns and shrubbery around the mag- 
nificent residences, contrasting it with the flowers, 
shrubbery and vernal lawns of her own beloved 
California. 

When the Haywards came in sight of their own 
home, they did not tell Lorane whose place it was, 
waiting to hear what she thought of it. She was ex- 


44 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


pressing her admiration in the most extravagant terms 
imaginable, when “Westol” in golden letters against a 
grey background caught her eye. She was amazed 
beyond expression as she gazed on the beauty and 
grandeur before her. The house was an imposing 
Swiss chalet, with terra cotta roof, grey sides, with 
darker grey trimmings. It was surrounded at the back 
and either side with tall, slender silver poplar trees. 

Mr. Hayward stopped the car and let her have a bet- 
ter view, then they passed along the winding driveway 
and through the porte cochere to the side entrance, 
where they were met by their faithful retinue of 
servants. 

Mrs. Hayward had telephoned her old housekeeper 
that they would be home at a certain hour, and would 
surprise them all with a young lady friend, whom she 
hoped they would all come to love as much as she and 
her husband did, since she was so much like their own 
dear daughter, Anna May. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hayward did all in their power to 
make Lorane’s stay with them a very pleasant one. 
They had been home but a few days when Lorane 
noticed a portrait hanging on the wall as being ex- 
tremely like one she had in her own possession and 
which had belonged to her mother, being an old-fash- 
ioned tintype of her. 

She very naturally inquired as to the origin of the 
portrait, and Mrs. Hayward told her, very confidenti- 
ally, the whole history of her only sister. She told 
Lorane that she very seldom talked to any one on the 
subject, but felt perfectly free to relate the entire truth 
to Lorane, who sat and listened with great astonish- 
ment but said nothing. She seemed to be seized with 
sadness, mingled with joy such as she had never ex- 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


45 


perienced before. Could it be that a great mystery 
was about to be revealed? She was almost persuaded 
to think so. 

Mrs. Hayward noticed the serious expression that 
had come over Lorane’s countenance. It was very 
unusual for Lorane to appear so sober, so much so that 
Mrs. Hayward asked her if she was feeling unwell. 

“Oh, no,” she answered, “I am perfectly well. I am 
just deeply interested ; that’s all.” 

Mrs. Hayward resumed her narrative of how her 
sister had left home when very young, and joined a 
grand opera company. She possessed unusual natural 
musical talent and ever since early childhood had had a 
craze for the stage. She had therefore left home at a 
very early age and gone to New York, where she was 
soon admitted as a singer in one of the best opera 
companies. 

She never came back home and wrote but seldom at 
first and soon ceased writing altogether as she became 
absorbed in her profession. 

“Several years after she left home,” continued Mrs. 
Hayward, “we heard through a traveling company 
passing through our home town that my sister, Anna 
May Bowman, had married a great tenor singer, but 
we never learned his real name. We never allowed 
ourselves to feel sad or to worry about her, however, 
and gradually became reconciled. We knew she was 
touring the world, engaged in the pursuit of her chosen 
profession and living her own life.” 

Lorane listened intently to the story to the end, 
occasionally asking a few questions. She then thanked 
Mrs. Hayward. She then arose and smilingly excusing 
herself went to her own room. Opening her trunk, 
she took out a package that she had very carefully 


46 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


packed and placed there before she went to Europe. 
She had never opened it since packing it away, and at 
the same time she did not suppose she ever would. 
She took the package, and going to Mrs. Hayward sat 
down in front of her and began to unwrap it. 

Lorane hardly knew how to handle the subject, but 
began by telling how she prized a few of her mother’s 
old relics which she had left to her on her death. As 
she talked she slowly unwrapped and brought to view 
a handsomely embroidered handbag. Mrs. Hayward 
gazed at it, at first without recognition, but suddenly 
discovered on looking at it more closely that it was 
some of her own former handiwork, which she recalled 
sending to her sister, Anna May, for a Christmas pres- 
ent, some years ago. 

She turned pale and swooned away and would have 
fallen to the floor but for Lorane’s quick motions, who 
caught her and placed her on the couch. She bathed 
her forehead, then gave her a drink of cold water, and 
sitting by her side prayed for her speedy recovery. 
Mrs. Hayward opened her eyes smilingly and remarked 
how foolish it was to allow oneself to be overcome by a 
little surprise. 

When she had entirely recovered, she asked Lorane 
if she would mind relating the history of some of her 
past life. 

“1 am perfectly willing to tell the little that I know 
about it,” Lorane answered. “I remember my mother’s 
telling some friends of hers that my father passed 
away when I was two years old, leaving herself and 
me in the care of a neighbor. They were very kind to 
us. I know my mother had a very sweet voice, but 
very weak at that time. We stayed at Mr. Hamilton’s 
most of the time ,and Mrs. Hamilton, a nurse, took care 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


47 


of mother through her last illness, which was quick 
consumption and lasted but a very few weeks. 

“I remember how peaceful and happy she looked 
lying there, and I thought she was sleeping. The 
Allens, near neighbors, gave me a good home and were 
very kind to me, treating me like one of their own 
children. They sent me to school with the rest of the 
children. I graduated when 14 years old and began 
earning my own living at 15 years of age. I seemed to 
make good at everything I undertook to do, and when 
war was declared I joined the Red Cross as a nurse 
and started for the battlefields of France. I worked 
there over a year. 

“I felt that the war would be over soon, and as my 
health was failing under the terrible strain I grew rest- 
less to be back in my own native land. So I obtained 
my release from the hospital where I was nursing, 
packed my trunk and took the first boat for home. 

“And wasn't it strange," she continued, reflectively, 
“that it happened to be the same ship that you and Mr. 
Hayward were on ? 

Mrs. Hayward, who had been thoughtfully listening, 
asked no further questions, but remarked that it often 
seemed to her that when people were in great need 
some one was sent to assist them, yet there were many, 
many mysterious problems which seemed to have no 
solution. 

Lorane left the package lying open, with the little 
tintype picture on the handbag. It was the original 
from which the portrait hanging on the wall was taken, 
and printed in one corner was the name, Anna May 
Bowman. Leaving Mrs. Hayward, Lorane went up to 
her own room to dress for dinner, after which they 


48 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


expected a few invited guests to come in to spend the 
evening. 

Mrs. Hayward sat a few minutes, meditating on the 
coming to light of a great mystery. She wanted to be 
more fully persuaded in her own mind and concluded 
to examine the handbag more thoroughly. Going over 
to the table where Lorane had left it, she noticed a 
small tintype picture in its folds, which as she started 
to pick up the bag slipped out and fell to the floor. 
She picked it up, glanced at it and recognized it at 
once as being the same one that she had had enlarged. 

She took it over to the portrait on the wall to com- 
pare and be sure there was no mistake, when she dis- 
covered in the corner in her own writing her sisters 
name, Anna May Bowman. She knew then there could 
be no mistake. Lorane was her sister’s own child, her 
own beloved niece. 

Lorane meanwhile had attired herself in one of her 
most becoming dinner gowns, a pale blue silk chiffon, 
made up with a darker shade of satin. She placed a 
large bunch of violets at her waist, with some of the 
flowers and a few green leaves nestling in the waves 
of her lovely golden hair. 

Mrs. Hayward thought that she had never seen her 
look so beautiful. She was radiant over so unexpected- 
ly finding her dear friend was her own aunt, and also 
looked forward joyously to meeting that evening her 
new friend and music teacher, whom she had met 
while in the city, and from whom she had arranged to 
take some vocal instruction. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hayward were very fond of 
music and had made it a point to invite some gifted 
musically educated people to all their social evening 
entertainments. This evening their guests were all 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


49 


members of a fine musical company. The manager 
had fallen in love with Lorane’s voice and deemed it 
the greatest honor to have her as one of his pupils. 
He entertained high hopes that he could finally per- 
suade her to become one of his company, knowing her 
range of voice was far above the average, and realizing 
that she possessed the grace and beauty that would 
make her a great star in the musical firmament. 

The hour for the guests’ arrival had come and they 
were received by all very cordially. They chatted 
merrily, telling of their different experiences in their 
early concert work and of their first appearance on the 
stage as public singers, all of which proved very inter- 
esting to their host and hostess. Lorane had had very 
little experience, and was very eager to catch every 
new idea which she felt she would need in her fufture 
work. She grasped all the little details very quickly. 

One lady told of her first appearance as a soloist. 
She had joined a company with which she had practiced 
many times before a small audience in concerts, but 
had never sung a solo. 

“The concert in which I was to make my initial ap- 
pearance,” she went on to say, “was meeting with good 
results. The audience was very appreciative and ap- 
plauded most enthusiastically. I had participated in 
several duets, trios and quartets, but when the time 
for my solo approached I began to feel a little fright- 
ened. Several disturbing thoughts came to my mind, 
which I tried not to harbor, endeavoring to brace my- 
self up for the ordeal. However, when the curtain 
was being raised for my number, stage fright seized me. 
My knees trembled violently and my body simply re- 
fused to move. 

“Finally, the manager had to announce that this 


50 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


number on the program would be changed to the last 
one. He then came to me, glared at me fiercely and 
told me that I had to brace up and sing when my turn 
came again. He said, 'Why, the very idea! The best 
number on the program, and you act so silly I feel like 
shaking you !” 

"This made me very indignant, as I was not used to 
having an one speak to me like that. I determined to 
try, if I fell on the stage in the effort. 

"So I went out in the fresh air, pulled myself to- 
gether and with renewed courage went back and when 
my turn came walked out on the stage and sang with 
all the ease imaginable. When I had finished and the 
curtain fell, there were loud cheers, cries of 'Bravo!' 
and enthusiastic applause. I was really pleased to 
return and repeat my solo again and again. I felt as 
if I could sing all night and not get tired or feel any 
bad effects !” 

The dinner was announced by Mrs. Hayward, one 
of tho c e old-fashioned New York dinners, prepared 
under the supervision of the old housekeeper. The 
party was ready to partake of it, having ridden 25 miles 
in an open car, during which there began falling light 
snow, being the first real cold that had visited the 
eastern coast that winter. 

Entering the beautifully lighted dining room, the 
company was greeted with the sight of many pieces of 
rich, old-fashioned silver, cut glass and hand-decorated 
china. 

Mrs. Hayward asked the guests to choose their own 
places, which they proceeded to do with much laughter. 
You may be sure they all enjoyed the freedom accorded 
them so graciously by their hostess. They were, Mr. 
Bacon said eating with a coming appetite, as various 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


51 


ones called for second helping of favorite dishes, as 
each one felt free to do. 

After dinner, the remainder of the evening was spent 
in songs and instrumental music. The weather was 
growing colder and colder and the snow storm increas- 
ing in violence. 

Mr. Hayward invited the entire company to stay 
over night, promising to take them into the city the 
next morning in his big sleigh. 

“Oh, Mr. Hayward, you are very kind and the temp- 
tation is great,” exclaimed the ladies. “Nothing would 
please us better than a good sleigh ride, but we will 
leave the decision to our leader, Mr. Bacon.” 

Mr. Bacon, however, thought it absolutely necessary 
for them to return that night, as there was some very 
urgent work that must be done early the next morning. 
So they bade their hosts good night, expressing their 
gratitude again and again for the many pleasures of 
the evening and rushing out just in time to catch the 
last car into the city. 

The snow was now falling fast, one of those damp, 
sleety storms where the snow clings tightly, causing 
the tall pine trees that bordered the driveway to bow 
their high stately heads in salute to the stinging white 
crystals that powdered their green thickly in robes of 
ermine. 

Lorane lingered in the drawing room a few minutes 
after the guests had gone to chat over the pleasing 
events of the evening and to quiet herself now that the 
excitement was over. Finally, bidding her aunt and 
uncle an affectionate good night she retired to her 
room, only to find that sleep seemed to have deserted 
her. So many new things seemed to be filling her 
mind that she felt a little bit disturbed. 


52 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


But Lorane knew full well that peacefulness and 
contentment constituted the road to success in any 
line, and she immediately banished each worrying 
thought that presented itself. She knew that those 
who put their trust in Divine guidance would come out 
victorious on any proposition that confronted them. 
With a prayer in her heart therefore for all the world 
and the safe return of the soldier boys, especially her 
last interesting patient she had nursed while in France, 
she composed herself and was soon lost in sweet 
slumber. 

Mrs. Hayward, when left alone with her husband, 
told him what had taken place between herself and 
Lorane that afternoon. Mr. Howard sat very quietly, 
absorbed in deep meditation. It brought back to his 
mind many scenes of the past that had been almost 
forgotten. However, he was thankful from the depth 
of his heart that the truth had come to light at last 
and that Providence had drawn Lorane to them. 

Together they thanked God that a bright and brilli- 
ant star had been sent to illumine their pathway and 
resolved to do their utmost to help make life a success- 
ful and happy one. 

Lorane awoke the next morning bright and happy, 
feeling as if a new era was dawning in her life. She 
raised the shades of her windows and looked out to 
see if it was still snowing. The sun was just peeping 
over the eastern horizon and the beauty and grandeur 
that met her eyes filled her soul with joy unspeakable. 
Lorane had never seen a real snow storm before and 
gazed in rapt admiration upon the snowy landscape, 
sparkling with innumerable millions upon millions of 
diamond crystals. These in turn threw out the bril- 
liant hues of the rainbow as the rising sun spread its 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


53 


golden rays over the glittering white mantle that 
shrouded the earth. The tall stately pine trees as if 
trying to kiss Mother Earth, as nothing else in all the 
world but the snow could have induced them to do. 

Lorane, after viewing the scene of her heart’s con- 
tent, skipped down stairs with a joyful good morning 
and an apology for having kept breakfast waiting. 
Her uncle and aunt both assured her that no apology 
was necessary, as they desired her to have perfect 
freedom and do just as she wanted to. 

“Oh, I do thank you both so much,” Lorane ex- 
claimed. “I know I shall be very happy here. I love 
you both dearly, and I am already learning to love 
New York. So many new and interesting things are 
constantly presenting themselves that I feel a new 
awakening in my soul which words are inadequate to 
express.” 

After breakfast was over and their many little duties 
were attended to, Mrs. Hayward called Lorane into her 
little sitting room. Taking the girl in her arms* she 
kissed her cheeks again and again, thanking God for 
his loving kindness and tender mercy in bringing her 
only sister’s child, her own dearly beloved niece, to 
abide with and comfort them in their old age. Mr. 
Hayward, standing in the doorway, beheld the affecting 
scene, and coming up took both in his arms, kissing 
them very tenderly, while tears of joy rolled down 
his smiling face. 

“Nothing will be left undone on our part to promote 
your welfare and happiness,” he told Lorane, for which 
she thanked him and expressed her own profound pleas- 
ure in the turn events had taken in at last bringing the 
separated relatives together. 

Mr. Hayward had been preparing a sleigh for a 


54 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


long sleighride. Lorane on this particular morning was 
to take her first vocal instruction from Professor 
Bacon, who was due at 9 o'clock. All enthused over 
the coming sleighride and eager for her music lesson, 
the girl tripped upstairs to her room to dress, finding 
herself a trifle puzzled, not knowing how to attire 
herself in a way that would be appropriate to both 
occasions. 

She soon decided to wear her new heavy blue serge, 
which was very becoming as a background for her 
beautiful golden hair and deep sky-blue eyes. Tripping 
downstairs with the lightness of a fairy, she found that 
Professor Bacon had arrived and was waiting in the 
music room. Lorane entered with extended hand and 
a pleasant “Good Morning!" saying: “I hope I haven't 
kept you waiting long." “Oh, no," he replied, “I thank 
you for giving me ample time to get warm before 
entering into our work." 

The lesson proved very interesting to Lorane, as 
Professor Bacon found he had an apt and intelligent 
pupil. He praised her warmly for her readiness to 
accept in childlike faith all the little details so thor- 
oughly and expressing the softer tones so perfectly. 
He thanked her for her willingness to learn and her 
good attention, and expressed his gratification to Mr. 
and Mrs. Hayward for allowing him to become her 
first teacher. 

They in turn told him how grateful they were that 
Lorane was fortunate enough to secure such a good 
instructor. Professor Bacon then bade them good bye 
and was starting for the door, when Mr. Hayward 
said : “Wait a few minutes until the girls put on their 
wraps and we will all accompany you, taking you to 
the city in our sleigh." 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


55 


Heavy stones had been heated, wrapped and placed 
in the bottom of the sleigh and its sides were com- 
pletely lined with buffalo rugs. Professor Bacon 
walked with the ladies to the side door, where stood 
the high-backed, fur-lined sleigh. They were soon 
tucked into the great warm furs and were off for a 
good long ride to the city, which they all enjoyed 
immensely. 

Mr. Hayward stopped at one of the best downtown 
hotels for luncheon, inviting Mr. Bacon to join them, 
which he very thankfully did, as he had become very 
fond of Lorane and was happy to be where she was. 

After they had lunched Mr. Hayward left the others 
in the lobby, and went over to his bank, a few doors 
away, to attend to some business. Mr. Bacon soon 
regretfully bade the ladies good bye and left them, 
as he had to meet his class at 8 o’clock, and told Lorane 
that he hoped in the near future she would assist in 
some of their concerts. 

When Mr. Hayward returned he asked his wife and 
Lorane if they would like to attend some entertain- 
ment. Lorane had read in that morning’s newspaper 
of some noted singer who was to give a short musicale 
in one of the downtown hotel parlors, and looking up 
the item discovered that it was to be in the parlors of 
the hotel where they then were. 

Taking the elevator to the parlors, they saw to their 
great surprise as they entered that it was a reception 
to some soldier boys who had just returned from 
France. The soloist whose singing had been noted in 
the papers was one of the company, a young officer, 
who was a native of California. His voice proved to be 
a very fine tenor and Lorane listened with absorbed 
attention and deepest enthusiasm. 


56 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


Noticing her uncle talking with one of the soldiers 
sitting by his side, she took occasion to go and arrange 
her auntie's furs, so she could glance at the young man 
occasionally. He seemed to her to be far above the 
ordinary young man in every respect, looks and bear- 
ing, with a voice soft and musical. She tried to catch 
some of their conversation, but was unable to do so. 
She noticed that his voice seemed familiar even before 
she had an opportunity to get a good look at him, and 
felt quite curious as well as interested in finding if 
they had ever met. 

When the concert was over the young officer hurried 
out with the rest of his company. She still failed to 
identify him, but could not help admire his tall, stately 
figure, superb physique and distinguished bearing. 

Lorane could not repress a little feeling of disap- 
pointment as she watched him leave the room and 
enter the elevator on his way down. She noted his 
light olive complexion and dark curly hair, and while 
she could not detect the color of his eyes she felt a 
moral certainty that they were a beautiful dark brown. 

After Lorane and Mr. and Mrs. Hayward reached 
home again, as they sat and discussed their outing, she 
told her uncle and aunt that she had never enjoyed a 
day more in her life. It was not only the beauty of 
the sleigh ride or the delightful music, but everything 
was so strangely new to her that it was absorbingly 
interesting. 

At the dinner table that evening Lorane was very 
anxious to bring up the subject of the concert. She 
asked who the young officer was, as the Haywards 
spoke of him as if he might have been a former ac- 
quaintance. No, her uncle said, they had never met 
before. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


57 


“I asked him,” Mr. Hayward continued, “if he knew 
the young fellow who was singing, and he answered, 
T certainly do. We grew up together, together played 
hookey from school, as boys were in the same grades 
in school and graduated from grammar school in the 
same class. He was my best friend all through col- 
lege, and we graduated there at the same time also. 
We joined the army the same day, fought through 
it all side by side, and now are returning together to 
our dear old homes in Southern California/ 

“He was certainly a fine conversationalist and as 
handsome as a picture.” 

“Did you learn his name?” Lorane eagerly inquired, 
desirous to learn all she could before the subject was 
dropped. 

“No, I did not,” answered her uncle. 

The remainder of the dinner was eaten in almost 
profound silence. Lorane’s thoughts reverted back 
to the hospital in France. There was a close re- 
semblance between this young man and the one she 
had nursed just before leaving Europe for America, 
and she wished fervently that she might learn if they 
might be one and the same person. 


58 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


CHAPTER VIII. 

Alzaro Stops in New York to Visit His Uncle Thomas. 

When Alzaro Stanton and Homer Moery had arrived 
in New York on their way home from France, Alzaro 
accepted his Uncle Thomas’s invitation to visit him in 
his bachelor quarters awhile before leaving for his 
home in California. He promised Alzaro that if he 
would do so he would then accompany him to his home 
and pay a visit to his brother, Stanley Stanton’s family, 
as it was his custom to do every winter. 

Alzaro did his best to persuade his friend Homer 
Moery to remain with him, but the latter declined with 
regrets, but urged Alzaro to remain and visit with his 
uncle, as desired, because there would be so much to 
interest and amuse him there, and it would be but a 
short time in any event before they would be together 
again. Homer had written Louise that he would arrive 
on a certain day and he would not for all the world 
disappoint her. 

Alzaro and his uncle, you may be sure, had a rousing 
good time. His Uncle Tom’s business was in good 
shape so that he could spend most of his time with his 
nephew. Money was no object to Mr. Stanton, so he 
undertook to “give Alzaro the time of his life,” as his 
Uncle Tom expressed it. 

They were both members of the Y. M. C. A. and 
Alzaro became acquainted with the best people in New 
York. He soon found himself much interested in all 
their social affairs. Dinners, musical entertainments 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


59 


and receptions were given in his honor, as the young 
officer from Southern California was very popular with 
Uncle Tom’s many friends, besides all those that he 
made on his own account. 

Meanwhile Lorane had attracted much attention with 
her beautiful voice. Professor Bacon had pushed her 
to the front in all his musical entertainments, in fact, he 
thought that he could not have a successful one with- 
out her assistance as a soloist. 

One evening, near the end of January, they gave a 
special benefit for the soldiers who had returned from 
France. Lorane was to sing at this concert one of her 
own compositions, which her teacher thought a most 
wonderful one and had kept it for the last number. 

The evening of the concert arrived, Professor Bacon 
had engaged the best musicians for the orchestra and 
had chosen six of his finest pupils for this special en- 
tertainment in honor of the return of the soldier boys. 

All seats had been sold many days before the date of 
the concert, and many people were turned away dis- 
appointed that evening. 

Mr. Stanton had invited several soldier friends of 
Alzaro’s, enough to fill his own private box, — sergeants, 
lieutenants and a general or two, twelve in number. 
When all were arrived and seated, Mr. Stanton con- 
cluded that his was the most attractive box in the 
great theater, the officers all attired in their uniforms, 
and wearing various medals of honor. 

The curtain raised and the sweet strains of the or- 
chestra, rendered by the best musicians obtainable, 
swelled forth in, “My Country ’Tis of Thee.” The 
diapason of the grand old organ added its harmony, 
inspiring the delighted audience with a patriotism such 
as few but soldiers ever knew. The second number 


60 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


on the program was “The Star Spangled Banner,” and 
as one man the audience rose and remained standing 
until the last sweet strains of our national anthem had 
died away into profound silence. 

One by one the singers appeared as their parts called 
them on the stage. The first one to appear was Lorane 
Mayhan, the soloist and star of the evening. Alzaro 
listened with amazement and bewilderment as Lorane 
filled the vast auditorium with the soft, clear tones of 
her nightingale voice. Could it be possible, he ques- 
tioned himself, that two different women possessed the 
same wonderfully sweet voice, and could each one 
affect him the same way with her liquid notes? 

He very sensibly felt the love vibrations of Cupid’s 
dart playing about his tender heart and the memory 
of by-gone days filled his soul as he sat amusing him- 
self with his own experiences while the other singers 
sang their respective parts; so absorbed was he in 
watching Lorane and perusing the program to see 
when she would appear again. 

At the end of the song the entire house sat for a 
moment in enchanted silence ,then as if a bomb had 
fallen from heaven the audience burst forth into 
“Bravos!” and applause, until the curtain arose and 
Lorane came back on the stage, smiling and graceful 
as a queen. Stepping to the front she received a beau- 
tiful bouquet, which she held against her breast as she 
rendered for an encore one of the recent little patriotic 
airs which the boys had brought over from France, 
with a slight change in some of the words to suit 
the occasion. 

Alzaro, to show his appreciation with the rest of 
the music lovers, beckoned to one of the ushers and 
asked him to send out to one of the best florists in 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


61 


the city and order a large bunch of the choicest 
Madame Caroline Testout rosebuds, attaching a card 
with his full name and compliments. This he cau 
tioned should be presented without fail to Lorane May- 
han after the last song on the program. Alzaro had 
perused the program very carefully and observing that 
the last number was an original composition by Miss 
Mayhan wished to show her his appreciation by pre- 
senting her with his favorite flowers. 

The concert was not a very lengthy one, but it was 
especially appropriate to the time, and every selection 
was especially appreciated by both soldiers and the 
general audience to the fullest extent. 

Between the songs, while others were chatting, 
Alzaro was very silent, trying to plan in his own mind 
how he might arrange for an introduction to Miss May- 
han. His brother officers, noticing his deep meditation, 
laughingly warned him not to let any of the songsters 
of the fair sex capture his heart, since it might prove 
fatal if he did. 

The entertainment was nearly over, and the last 
number about to be sung. Alzaro felt a trifle nervous, 
for a closer and more careful reading of the last two 
verses of Miss Mayhan’s composition, which were 
printed on the program, recalled to his memory that 
he had heard them sometime, somewhere, and he won- 
dered who could have been in the mind of the com- 
poser when she wrote them. 

Suddenly, and as though awakening from a dream, 
he remembered with a joyful heart that he had heard 
the song rendered by a little nurse, who had brought 
him back to life when he was found unconscious on 
the battlefield in France. 

“Will wonders never cease ?” he exclaimed to him- 


62 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


self. “Now I am going to hear those same verses, sung 
by that same voice once again, after so many months 
of anxious waiting.” 

The orchestra began its prelude, the curtain rose, 
and Lorane stepped on to the stage, gowned all in 
snowy, shimmering white, her face that of a Madonna, 
her form stately and graceful, a veritable Goddess of 
Liberty. 

She sang, with grace and ease, to the end. Again 
the whole house seemed spellbound for a few minutes, 
then broke forth in wilder enthusiasm than before, if 
possible. Bouquets were sent over the footlights by 
the dozen, and all recognized with graceful bows and 
smiles of appreciation. 

Alzaro, watching this demonstration of the entire 
house, began to be quite uneasy lest his flowers, which 
he saw were the last to be presented, should be over- 
looked in the deluge of others. To his great joy, how- 
ever, he saw that she singled them out from all the rest. 
She caressed them, lightly touched them with her lips, 
then in response to the curtain calls came back on the 
stage with the flowers pressed against her heart. She 
had chosen the last two verses of her composition as 
an encore. Having removed the sparkling ornaments 
she wore in her hair, she placed a lovely pink bud with 
a few green leaves taken from Alzaro’s bouquet in her 
wavy golden locks, which to Alzaro looked far more 
becoming than the shining gems. 

As the encore song ended, one of the soldier boys 
stepped on the stage, and asked the audience to give 
three rousing cheers as their last mark of appreciation 
of the fine program and the good work of the singers 
and musicians, with three more cheers for Professor 
Bacon for arranging such a treat. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


63 


While the crowd was moving slowly out, Mr. Stan- 
ton and his guests remained, waiting until the rush 
should be over. The house was almost empty and the 
lights were beginning to go out, when Mr. Stanton 
noticed in the box opposite them an old friend and 
his wife, whom he had not seen for sometime. Bidding 
the young officers good night, he took Alzaro by the 
arm, and walking across the stage he entered their 
box, greeting the couple and jokingly accusing them 
of being too intoxicated to leave at the proper time. 

“No,” laughingly denied Mr. Hayward, for it was 
none other than he and his wife; “we are waiting for 
our niece and Professor Bacon, who will join us here 
in a few minutes.” 

“Come, Alzaro,” said Mr. Stanton, beckoning his 
nephew into the box; “shake hands with my friends, 
Mr. and Mrs. Hayward. This is my nephew, Alzaro 
Stanton, of Southern California,” he continued, to his 
friends. During the course of the introduction, Pro- 
fessod Bacon and Lorane entered the box. 

Mr. Hayward shook hands with the professor, con- 
gratulating him on the success of his concert, then in- 
troduced him to Mr. Stanton, his old friend and a 
resident of the city, and his nephew, young Mr. Stan- 
ton, from California. 

Mrs. Hayward took Lorane by the hand, walked up 
to Alzaro, and placing her arms lovingly around the 
girl, spoke in tender tones : 

“Mr. Stanton, it gives me pleasure to present my 
niece, Miss Lorane Mayhan, who like you is also from 
Southern California.” 

Lorane was still carrying Alzaro’s bouquet of pink 
rosebuds, which he noticed with much pleasure as he 
was tendering her his congratulations on both her voice 


64 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


and her composition, especially admiration of the last 
two verses of the little poem. 

Fortunately for them Mr. Hayward had called his 
wife to help him explain some little incident that hap- 
pened when they were in Europe. Consequently Lor- 
ane and Alzaro were not interrupted, which pleased 
them exceedingly, each being so interested in meeting 
the other. 

Lorane, blushing over Alzaro’s extravagant compli- 
ments, stood arranging the buds of her bouquet listen- 
ing to him, when she noticed for the first time the card 
attached to the flowers. Turning the card over, she 
saw the name, Alzaro Stanton, with a little poem below. 

“Rose, Rose, my beautiful Rose, 

That grew in my garden so fair, 

Bedecking the bowers, queen of all flowers, 
With colors so rich and so rare.” 

While Lorane was looking the card over, Alzaro was 
admiring her beauty, noting with delight her beautiful 
hair, snowy white forehead and the lovely pink of her 
fair young complexion. Both stood silently thus a few 
minutes, each feeling conscious of reading the thoughts 
of the other. They had exchanged hearts while in 
Europe and felt that now they were again in their own 
beloved America their souls were united in the fondest, 
deepest love. 

Lorane broke the silence, looking up and smilingly 
asking: “How did you know these rosebuds were my 
favorite flowers?” 

It was no Alzaro’s time to blush, and he felt the 
warm glow of love on his cheeks. 

“Oh, because they are also mine, I suppose. I have a 
very choice bush of this variety in our garden in Cali- 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


65 


fornia,” he remarked. “It blooms almost every month 
in the year.” 

Their conversation was now interrupted by Professor 
Bacon, who, addressing Lorane, said: “We must go 
now, or the lights will be out and we will all be left 
in the dark.” 

Mr. Hayward had invited Professor Bacon, Mr. Stan- 
ton and Alzaro up to their apartments a few blocks 
away to have supper, which was their usual custom to 
have after attending the theater. 

Alzaro offered to carry Lorane’s bouquet for her, but 
she laughingly declined, remarking, rougishly: “They 
are not a bit heavy and are not the least bother !” add- 
ing, “I love to have them near me, to smell their 
fragrance and admire their lovely form and color.” 

Professor Bacon walked with the Haywards behind 
the young couple, with a twinge of jealousy in his big, 
kind heart. He knew that Lorane had many admirers, 
but hitherto no one had ever taken the liberty of escort- 
ing her anywhere when he was present. He had not 
questioned his heart as to whether he loved her, but 
simply felt that she would be the dearest soul on earth 
to go through life with. Yet he thought that he must 
not be selfish and refuse to allow any one else to ac- 
company her, once in a while at least. So he made the 
best of the situation and walked along with the elder 
Mr. Stanton and the Haywards until they reached the 
hotel. 

Mr. Hayward led the way into his private dining 
room and seating the little company around his table 
requested them each to order the dishes he preferred 
the most. 

Professor Bacon gave his order first, the others 
listening as he did so. He asked the waiter to bring 


66 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


him equal portions of oyster liquor and unskimmed 
milk no seasoning of any kind whatever, with a spoon- 
ful of minced clams and a small dish of browned oyster 
crackers, with a few tips of celery. 

They all declared that sounded good to them, and 
ordered the same brought to every one, with a change 
of salads as the separate tastes called for. The desserts 
were quite light, as none of them cared to eat very 
heartily at this late hour. 

While engaged with their supper they all enjoyed 
Alzaro’s narrative of his varied experiences while in 
France, especially when in action, describing strange 
events, including the peculiar means resorted to by the 
Germans when confronting the Americans. He also 
told them that the boys were requested not to relate 
the horrors they encountered over there, but to relate 
all the pleasant transactions they could remember. 

He entertained them with one of his own experiences 
with a German general whom he took prisoner, who 
spoke English fairly well. When first captured he 
talked very roughly and threatened all kinds of revenge. 

“I told him,” Alzaro said, smiling, ‘‘that it didn’t 
seem quite fair to take him away from his companions 
and friends, but that in war times we had to obey the 
commands of our superior officers. So, I said to him, I 
don’t see any way other than that you will have to just 
come along. We will not harm you, but will treat you 
well and give you plenty to eat and a good place to 
sleep. He soon became quiet and we talked on many 
subjects. He said that the better class of people did 
not want to fight. They knew that taking life was 
not the true way to gain freedom. He thought the 
war was brought on by the Kaiser’s wanting to gain 
the whole world. I talked with many of the prisoners 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


67 


and found that far beyond my expectation they seemed 
to have kind hearts and a trust in God.” 

Professor Bacon, looking at his watch, asked his 
hosts to excuse him, expressing his regret that he must 
leave them in the midst of such an interesting subject. 
He thanked Mr. and Mrs. Hayward again for their kind 
invitation to supper, arose from the table, shook hands 
with all of them, expressing the hope that he would 
meet Alzaro often and hear more of his experiences in 
France. 

Turning to Lorane he asked her to set the time for 
another music lesson. But Lorane had concluded not 
to take any more lessons at present, as she felt that she 
needed a rest after her hard work for the concert, be- 
sides, she told him, she would soon begin to arrange 
for their trip to California. 

“What, so soon!” exclaimed the professor in a sur- 
prised tone; “I can't possibly think of losing you as 
my pupil. Besides I don't see how we can get along 
without you in our concert work.” 

There seemed to be no distinction made by him be- 
tween his personal regret at losing her and his appre- 
ciating her valuable assistance so much that he felt her 
services could not be spared. 

Turning to Mr. and Mrs. Hayward, he asked when 
they expected to start for California. 

“We have decided to start the 15th of February,” 
Mr. Hayward replied. 

“Oh, how sad!” the professor exclaimed. “Well, I 
hope to see you many times before then,” and bowing 
a good night to all present, he took his departure, with 
a feeling of disappointment in his soul he could not 
understand. 

Mr. Stanton then asked some qeustions in regard to 


68 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


their intended trip to California. He also mentioned 
something of his own annual visit out there to his 
brother, Alzaro’s father, but stated that he had post- 
poned his visit this winter later than usual owing to 
Alzaro’s being with him. He said that he thought he 
and Alzaro would likely make the trip sometime this 
coming spring, in case Alzaro wished to, but meant to 
leave the date of their departure for his nephew to 
deterimne. 

Lorane and Alzaro had been guilty of listening to 
this conversation, occasionally giving each other side 
glances, almost reading each other’s thoughts as new 
ideas came rushing into their minds, and in the eye of 
imagination they could fairly see themselves together 
touring across the United States in one of the finest 
Pullman cars that could be secured. 

Mr. Stanton finally arose to take his departure, say- 
ing it was a shame to keep folks from their rest and 
sleep so late. Mr. and Mrs. Hayward then invited Mr. 
Stanton and his nephew to call around to the hotel the 
day following, at 2 .00 o’clock in the afternoon, promis- 
ing to give them a sleigh ride through the western 
suburbs of New York and on out to their country home, 
saying what a contrast to the snow covered ground of 
New York would be to the greenly-carpeted lawns of 
Southern California. 

“Oh, we will be delighted to do so,” exclaimed Alzaro, 
involuntarily, as he arose with his uncle to take their 
leave. “Nothing would please me more.” 

The next day, 2 :00 o’clock found Mr. Stanton, 
promptly on time, waiting in the lobby of the Hay- 
ward’s hotel. The temperature had moderated some- 
what, and several little flurries of snow had followed 
the first heavy snowstorm, and the streets and roads 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


69 


were never in better shape for sleighing than at that 
time. 

When they finally reached Westol they found the 
house all warm and lighted, with a good hot dinner 
awaiting them. They had all enjoyed the sleighride 
immensely, and now they would appreciate the beauti- 
ful and comfortable home, with its elegant appoint- 
ments and sumptuous dinner. 

Alzaro’s first remark to Lorane was, “Oh, so beauti- 
ful! It seems if love, joy and beauty confront us all 
the way.” 

Soon after they had removed their wraps and were 
comfortably warmed, Mrs. Hayward announced that 
dinner was served. It had been prepared under the 
immediate supervision of the old housekeeper, who had 
been notified by telephone that they would arrive home 
at a certain hour, accompanied by two gentlemen 
friends. 

After the bounteous dinner, of which all had par- 
taken heartily, with thankful hearts, they kindly ex- 
pressed their appreciation to the old housekeeper, Mrs. 
Good, who sat at the end of the table to serve the 
drinks. Mr. Good generally sat by the side of his wife, 
but as he was not feeling well he did not make his ap- 
pearance on this occasion. The old couple had been 
with the Haywards since their wedding day, and they 
treated them as kindly as they would their own brother 
and sister. 

They arose from the table, Mrs. Hayward leading 
the way into the warm and cheerful parlors, where she 
invited her guests to be seated just where they thought 
they would be most comfortable. 

Alzaro and Lorane chose the lover’s chair, in the 
cozy corner, a little apart from the rest, which Lorane 


70 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


had lighted up for this evening. She desired above all 
things that on this particular occasion the house should 
present its most attractive appearance and she took 
the greatest pains that only those lights should be 
turned on which would give the softest, most alluring 
effects. 

After Mr. Hayward and Mr. Stanton had discussed 
first one subject then another with the greatest free- 
dom, having long been confidential friends in social 
life as well as business affairs, Mr. Stanton asked his 
friend how the beautiful and talented Lorane had so 
suddenly come into their lives. “I don't recall ever 
hearing you speak of a brother or sister on either side,” 
he added. 

Mr. Hayward glanced at Lorane to see if she ap- 
proved and asked her consent before telling her story. 
Lorane bowed assent, smilingly saying, “I am per- 
fectly willing. You may tell it all.” 

Mrs. Hayward then related the history of Lorane’s 
childhood up to the present, concluding with, “and 
now you see her sitting with your own nephew in the 
cozy corner.” 

“Well, well!” exclaimed Mr. Stanton. “A good 
story !” 

“Very, very good!” confirmed Alzaro. “It is worth 
publishing.” 

“Suppose we have it printed right away,” Lorane 
jokingly said. 

“Some day we may,” Alzaro rather soberly re- 
marked. He then asked Lorane where she had at- 
tended school, and to his great surprise discovered that 
it was the same school he had attended, until he 
finished the fourth grade, when he was transferred to 
the new schoolhouse near his own home. He told 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


71 


Lorane that he had played with the Allen boys in all 
kinds of games and had noticed their goodness to their 
two little sisters, he supposed them to be, as, never 
asking any questions concerning the relationship, he 
had never learned anything to the contrary. 


TRIBUTE TO A ROSE. 

Rose, rose, beautiful rose, 

That grew in my garden so fair ; 

Queen of all flowers, bedecking the bowers, 
With fragrance beyond all compare. 

The tint of this rose is exquisite, 

Its form is most sweet to behold ; 

It whispers the love of a lover 
Far better than words ever told. 

And out from this rose comes a message, 
Whose meaning is surely divine; 

The angels alone know the secret 
That is hid in these petals of thine. 

For the great loving heart of the Father 
Sweetly tells of his love to the world 
Through the heart of this beautiful flower, 
That blooms with sweet fragrance unfurled. 


72 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


CHAPTER IX. 

The Engagement between Alzaro and Lorane. 

At the close of their story, Mr. Hayward, rising, in- 
vited Mr. Stanton to go with him to their curio room, 
as he wanted to show him some very interesting speci- 
mens he had gathered while abroad. Mrs. Hayward 
followed the two gentlemen, asking Alzaro and Lorane 
to go also, but they declined with thanks, saying that 
they wished to finish the subject which they were 
discussing. 

They were still seated in the cosy corner occupying 
the lovers’ chair and enjoying the warm handsomely 
furnished drawing room. Alzaro thought there was no 
place on earth more appropriate than here in which to 
express his love for Lorane. 

Alzaro was thankful for this unexpected opportunity 
to be alone with Lorane a few minutes, that he might 
pour out his love to her more frequently. 

Taking in both his own her hand, that was resting 
on the arm of her chair, in his low, soft voice that was 
almost a whisper, he reverently said : 

“In the deepest humility I thank God for his own 
wise providence in bringing us together. In His own 
mysterious way He has accomplished what we never 
could have done in our human limitations, nor could 
we have planned our own pathway so that it would 
have been half so wonderful. Some beautiful day in 
the near future you will be my own darling wife, won’t 
you, Lorane?” 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


73 


Lorane, nestling close in Alzaro’s embrace, answered 
softly : 

“Yes, we will be happy together, for I know Uncle 
and Aunt will not object to our union.” 

Then, with all the sweet reminiscences in which 
lovers ever delight, they rehearsed the incidents of 
their first meeting in the hospital in France, where their 
hearts were first stirred with the thoughts of young 
love’s dream. They also dwelt fondly on their second 
meeting in the grand theater in New York, where their 
souls were united in a blissful anticipation of a new 
and happy life, which now opened glowingly before 
them, as they sat with hands clasped in fond content. 

“Sweetheart,” he said, “do you remember one beauti- 
ful day in early spring time in California, walking 
along the pavement of a lovely lawn with shrubbery 
and here and there a flower bed and arbors covered with 
an innumerable variety of trailing vines when in your 
hurry to meet some engagement, you were detained by 
the singing of a mocking bird in a magnolia tree? And 
do you remember the dear little speech you made at 
the close of his swelling notes? And did you realize 
then that that bird had another listener who was 
charmed with unspeakable joy as he saw a heavily- 
veiled girl walking briskly and as she came in hearing 
of the song bird and stepped lightly so as not to dis- 
turb the strain of music which he was rendering at that 
moment? Do you remember the message you gave 
him, telling him you were on your way to practice for 
a Red Cross Benefit at the Orpheum that night?” 

At this Louise who had been listening with intense 
silence all through Alzaro’s story, glanced up into his 
smiling face with the charming look of an angel on her 
brow, cheek and lips, and a heavenly love light in her 


74 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


deep blue eyes, as clear and pure as the sky above, and 
whispering softly, “You, too, were there and felt the 
same vibrations of love I felt. Yes, I remember it all 
distinctly now. 

“Yes, sweetheart, I was near by and heard it all, and 
do you know, dear one, my soul was so filled with the 
inspiration of the whole transaction, I was desirous to 
go down to the Orpheum that evening to see you and 
hear you sing. And immediately after dinner I dressed 
myself, took a down-town car, got off at the Orpheum, 
secured my ticket in one of the boxes nearest the stage, 
in order to be near you, to see your face and hear you 
sing. You will never know the great disappointment 
when you did not make your appearance. You remem- 
ber your part was to sing in concealment to the young 
prince, who was forbidden to look on a fair woman’s 
face, with the penalty of losing his crown if found dis- 
obeying the king’s rules. 

“I loved and was filled with enthusiasm with your 
singing but sympathized so deeply with the young 
prince’s situation, I scarcely knew how to reconcile the 
two propositions. I felt the great disappointment, 
sorrow and worryment he was passing thru which was 
reflected in my own experience which I was at that 
moment encountering. 

“God works in a mysterious way and his wonders 
are past finding out,” explained Lorane. 

Lorane’s head rested on Alzaro’s shoulder, as he 
clasped her in his arms. Pressing a kiss on her young, 
fair forehead, he again gave thanks and praise to their 
heavenly Father, concluding, “What God has joined 
together man cannot part and dare not try to put 
asunder.” 

They sat quietly in silence for some length of time. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


75 


neither speaking a word. Indeed, spoken words were 
inadequate to express their love and appreciation to 
God for his gloriously unspeakable gifts to his trusting 
children. 

Presently Mr. and Mrs. Hayward and Mr. Stanton 
returned from the curio room. The weather outside 
was becoming so very intensely cold that Mr. Hayward 
insisted upon Mr. Stanton and his nephew remaining 
over night, telling them that he would give them an- 
other long sleigh ride on the morrow, to which they 
very readily agreed. 

After the gentlemen had retired, Lorane confided to 
her aunt Alzaro’s profession of love and his proposal 
of marriage, and asked what she thought about it. In 
the most loving tones her aunt replied : 

“1 am not at all surprised. I knew that his friend- 
ship for you was very great and his admiration of the 
highest character. I have admired his noble appear- 
ance and gentlemanly manners ever since we first be- 
came acquainted with him, and I feel assured that he 
will make the best of husbands.” 

Taking Lorane in her arms, Mrs. Hayward kissed 
her fondly, and asked the blessing of God to follow 
them all through their lives. Lorane kissed her aunt 
tenderly in return and thanked her for her approval 
and kind blessing. 

They sat and talked up to a very late hour. Lorane 
had already formed the habit of asking her auntie’s 
advice before acting on any subject, when together 
they would rehearse it over and decide upon the best 
course to pursue. 

Mrs. Hayward thought it would be best for Lorane 
to resume her music lessons while in New York. 
Lorane spoke of Alzaro’s intentions of having his voice 


76 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


cultivated, and said she thought the idea of both taking 
lessons from the same teacher would very interesting. 

“Well, whatever you and Alzaro agree upon will 
please both Mr. Hayward and me, as I am sure he will 
be willing to accede to anything that suits you and 
Alzaro,” her aunt replied. 

It was a very late hour, indeed, when aunt and niece 
retired that night. They had found so many subjects 
to be discussed and so many new arrangements to be 
made for the future, they realized that they would all 
be kept pretty busy for three or four months, at least. 

They did not feel constrained to arise early the next 
morning, as Mr. Hayward had suggested the night 
before that there would be no rush about getting up in 
the morning, saying, “You may all sleep as long as you 
like, since there is no hurry about getting downtown.” 

Mr. Stanton and his nephew awakened about the 
same time. The sun was making its appearance over 
the beautiful snow-capped hills, while innumerable 
icicles were hanging from the roofs of the buildings 
and the evergreen trees around the house. 

Alzaro had never beheld a real picture of this char- 
acter before, and the scene that met his gaze this 
morning was beyond words to describe. 

Alzaro and his uncle had often talked of Lorane 
and her accomplishments, and Alzaro had told many 
times of their first meeting in France, how she had 
nursed him back to life and the involuntary interest 
and attachment that sprang up between them from the 
beginning. He felt satisfied that his uncle would not 
object to any arrangements he might decide upon for 
the future. 

Mr. Stanton was willing to back Alzaro’s judgment 
on any plans he might make for himself, never doubt- 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


77 


ing his highest ideas, which he knew his nephew pos- 
sessed, nor his ability to carry out any cherished desire 
of which his mind could conceive. He had again and 
again assured the young fellow of this belief and of 
his willingness to furnish any amount of money re- 
quired to meet whatever expenses he found it neces- 
sary to incur. 

Alzaro told his uncle of his and Lorane’s en- 
gagement. 

“I am not at all surprised,” said his uncle, “for I have 
noticed many, many times when discussing the pleasant 
subject of life the love blushes on cheek and brow of 
both of you and Lorane and knew that some day this 
would take place. Let me comgratulate you on your 
wise choice and good judgment.” 

Mr. Stanton knew that large sums of money 
would be required to meet the demands, and he was 
sincerely glad that the time had come when he could 
assist Alzaro with whatever sum might be necessary 
to provide for the young people’s future home, and 
had already deeded him fifty acres of rich land in a 
beautiful location in the foothills of Southern Califor- 
nia, near his father’s ranch. 

Mr. Hayward had been up some little time, seeing 
for himself that the heat was turned on and the whole 
house warm and comfortable, when his two guests 
appeared. He met them at the foot of the stairs, 
warmly congratulating Alzaro on his engagement and 
extending heartiest wishes for his and Lorane’s future 
welfare. 

“Oh, they all know what transpired last evening, I 
see!” joked Alzaro, in his good-natured, jolly way, 
which always made every one he came in contact with 
feel better for being in his presence. 


78 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


Just at this moment, Mrs. Hayward and Lorane 
made their appearance. Alzaro smilingly bowed as he 
stepped forward, and walking across the room with the 
air of a prince, extended a hand to each one. 

“Good morning !” he exclaimed, with love and 
warmth enough to melt the frozen snow, if possible. 

They stood opposite the great wide eastern window, 
where the golden morning sun was sending its rays 
through icicles and fairy frost tracings on the window 
panes, making a dazzling picture almost too bright for 
the eyes to dwell upon. Mr. Hayward and Mr. Stan- 
ton came up and joined in congratulations and felicita- 
tions to the happy pair, holding a real jubilee over the 
good news over Alzaro’s success and Lorane’s wise 
choice. 

After breakfast, Mr. Hayward, in the sleigh drawn 
by two spirited bay horses, drove up to the side door 
and announced that all was ready for a long and en- 
joyable sleigh ride, which the others assured him they 
were all eager to participate in. Alzaro particularly 
appreciated the fine blooded horses, admiring their in- 
telligence manifested when about to approach a danger- 
ously close turn in the road, or any other thing that 
had an appearance of danger. They would slacken 
their pace of their own accord until the critical point 
was past, when they would bound off as though some 
one was urging them on. 

On arriving at their hotel they met Professor Bacon, 
restlessly pacing to and fro, waiting for some one. 
Mr. Hayward stepped up and shook hands with him and 
presented the rest of the party as though they had 
never met before. Professor Bacon, seeing Alzaro with 
Lorane, let a feeling of jealousy possess his usually 
placid mind, and gave him such a cool reception that 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


79 


it attracted the attention of the remainder of the party. 

But Alzaro entertained no serious thought as to the 
professor's manner, but spoke and shook hands in his 
usual pleasing way, making joking remarks, then 
speaking of his pleasure in seeing him again. Profes- 
sor Bacon, however, did not seem to appreciate Alzaro’s 
jokes, but turned to Lorane, and in rather a com- 
manding tone of voice remarked : 

“I trust that you are ready to take up your music 
lessons again. It is not a good idea to have too long 
a vacation. You will forget everything you have 
learned and have to go all over it again." 

Mrs. Hayward, observing that Lorane was not 
pleased with the professor’s style of address, ex- 
claimed : 

“Oh, Professor, you know we are planning to take 
a trip to California soon, and Lorane has changed her 
mind about continuing her music." 

“Oh! I did not remember about your going so 
soon. I am so sorry. Pardon me, Miss Mayhan, for 
advising you. I know you are very original and have 
ideas of your own. Sometimes, however, older minds 
can see the future better than younger ones can." 

No one of the party seemed to appreciate his re- 
marks, and he felt it very sensitively. Expressing his 
regret at having to leave them so abruptly, owing to 
his having a class awaiting him, he bade them a hurried 
good bye, and with a polite bow left the lobby. 

And as the poor professor wended his way to keep 
his engagement with his class, he felt unaccountably 
sad and experienced a deep disappointment quite for- 
eign to his usually sunny nature. He had become very 
much infatuated with Lorane. Her sweet voice and 
gentle, pleasing manners had won a place in his heart 
that would not be easy to eradicate. 


80 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


Lorane was the only woman he had ever met whom 
he considered worthy of his love. He was persuaded 
in his own mind that some day she would be his wife. 
Now, to have some one come between him and the 
object of his adoration and blight his happy plans for 
the future, seemed to him more than he could bear 
and he could not reconcile himself. The hopes he had 
cherished seemed withered and the light that had 
illumined his pathway suddenly darkened. 

Professor Bacon had always boasted rather extra- 
vagantly to his friends whenever the subject of matri- 
mony had come up for discussion. He had claimed 
that a bachelor’s life was the most satisfactory, and 
had asserted that among all his married friends there 
were very few who seemed to be congenial or were 
happily mated. 

But since he became acquainted with Lorane his 
belief had changed. He had felt sure that the future 
held in store for him more than ordinary life con- 
tained, and the future in all aspects presented a radiant 
and promising front. 

It was therefore a severe blow to have the desires 
of his heart thwarted and his fondest anticipations 
shattered, and presented a greater problem than his 
disturbed, puzzled mind could find a solution for. 

After Professor Bacon’s rather abrupt exit, the Hay- 
wards invited Mr. Stanton and Alzaro into their 
private dining room to have a good warm lunch, of 
which all were quite ready to partake after their long 
sleighride through the country and city. 

While at luncheon Mrs. Hayward spoke again to 
Lorane about her music, and thought it would be in- 
teresting for her and Alzaro to engage the same teacher 
and take their lessons near the same time. They all 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


81 


agreed to her wise suggestion and that it would be the 
right course to pursue. After they had finished their 
meal, Alzaro telephoned to several music teachers that 
Lorane h ad met in her musical career, and made 
arrangements for an interview with the one they con- 
sidered the most promising. 

Alzaro and Lorane entered into their studies with 
the firm determination to make good. They were to- 
gether a great deal of the time and assisted each other 
over some of the most difficult places. 

The young lovers spent many happy hours in each 
other’s company riding horseback. Mr. Hayward pre- 
sented each one with a fine single-footed trotter, Lor- 
ane’s almost white, dappled with grey, Alzaro’s a jet 
black. 

Alzaro received many long and interesting letters 
from his old friend, Homer Moery. He felt that he 
about knew what was taking place between Homer 
and Louise by the general tone of the letters. Reading 
between the lines and adding two and two together 
brought out many secrets that were not meant to be 
revealed. 

Meanwhile Lorane and Louise had opened a corre- 
spondence and felt that through its happy medium they 
were becoming fairly well acquainted, and began im- 
parting to each other their little plans for the future. 
One thing of which Homer wrote told volumes to 
Alzaro. 

“I am thinking very seriously,” he wrote, “of build- 
ing on my little ranch that is just opposite to one your 
uncle gave you for your twenty-first birthday present.” 

At this announcement, Alzaro immediately wired 
Homer: “Do not proceed with your plans any further 
until you hear from me by letter. I have something 


82 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


to say to you in regard to building myself a home in 
the near future. ,, 

Homer answered Alzaro’s telegram by return mail, 
addressing him by his old-time pet name, “Old Pal.” 

“I can see,” he wrote, “and understand it all now. 
That little songbird you have been writing so much 
about has accepted your proposal of marriage, and you 
intend to build a home, just like mine, just opposite 
me, and you and your little girl are coming back to 
California, and we will be neighbors and live happily 
near each other the remainder of our existence on this 
planet. I can fairly hear you say, ‘Homer, you have 
intuitively received my message/ ” 

“Well, Alzaro, for the last few days I have been 
thinking on this very same subject, and expected to 
write you soon about all my plans for the future and 
of my success in gaining the heart and hand of one of 
the sweetest girls on earth, — one that is capable of 
gracing the home of a king. I know that you have 
the same exalted ideas of Louise, your darling sister 
and my sweetheart, to whom I was betrothed in early 
childhood and from whom my allegiance has never 
swerved. 

“And I am happy to learn that at at last you have 
found the object of your affections that you have so 
patiently waited for that God in his own good time 
would bring to pass, and now, dear beloved and long 
tried friend, we will not forget to ask God to supply all 
our spiritual needs all through the remaining years of 
our future existece. Good-bye, old friend, and let me 
hear from you soon.” 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


83 


CHAPTER X. 

The Haywards Return From Their Pleasure Trip. 

Alzaro and Lorane enjoyed their musical career very 
much. They sang in church choirs and benefit con- 
certs and traveled all up and down the Atlantic Coast, 
accompanied by the Haywards and Mr. Stanton. They 
visited all the noted places, sang in many of the best 
concerts, and were greatly admired by all the leading 
musicians. 

Alzaro’s voice developed into a fine baritone, and he 
and Lorane made great hits singing together in duets. 
Wherever they went they met with great admiration 
and praise from all music lovers. 

The Haywards’ party had returned home, and the 
young couple were enjoying their horseback riding 
through the country around Westol. Springtime had 
arrived in the eastern states. The snow had disap- 
peared from the hills and valleys and green vegetation 
was making its appearance where but a short time 
before everything was covered with snow, sleet and ice. 
The graceful maples along the sides of streets and 
roads were putting forth their light tender green foli- 
age, and songbirds were filling the earth with their 
melodious strains. 

Everything in nature seemed to be doing its utmost 
to give forth the highest thanksgiving, praise and glory 
to the Giver of all this bountiful good and the be- 
stower of lovely gifts to the children of men. 

The two young, single-footed horses which Mr. Hay- 


84 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


ward had set aside for the use of Alzaro and Lorane 
were in constant demand. Alzaro’s black was called 
Black Star, while Lorane’s, with its abundant wavy 
mane and tail had been named Silver-Mane. They 
were both beauties, and the young people were very 
grateful for the privilege of having a horseback ride 
whenever they chose. 

Mr. Hayward wanted the horses to be exercised 
every day and the lovers enjoyed their spirited mounts 
and pleasant rides immensely. They would take long 
jaunts through the country, and often rode in the city. 
Still, they enjoyed the country more, especially prefer- 
ring one beautiful shady boulevard along the side of a 
picturesque winding stream, which was especially con- 
structed for pleasure seekers who preferred to drive 
or ride their fine thoroughbreds to cars or autos. 

The young people were both ardent admirers of na- 
ture, and would pace along the boulevard slowly, noting 
the changes in the putting forth of foliage as the season 
advanced, observing the different kinds of trees and 
shrubs and watching for the appearance of the little 
spring flowers and the many, many varieties of ferns 
and other green vegetation of every description. 

They were certainly realizing the most blissful joy 
indigenous to young lovers’ dreams. And it was just 
and right that it should be so. What will be the result 
when all young people, like Alzaro Stanton and Lorane 
Mayhan, have trusted in God to order their course and 
guide them in all their affairs? 

They were taught in childhood that a useful, un- 
selfish life is the secret of success ; also that all others 
who study such lives and become interested in their 
course of procedure will reap the same results, and 
their lives will not prove a failure and disappointment, 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


85 


but will blossom with happiness, good thoughts, words 
and deeds. Such lives will benefit all those who see or 
know them and those with whom they come in contact 
will be blessed by their kind and beneficent influence 
and they will reap the reward due those who have high 
ideals and good intentions, and put them in practical 
use in their everyday life. 

YOU CAN A MESSENGER BE. 

To those who are seeking a message, 

You can a messenger be 

By sending kind thoughts to the lonely 

On the land or upon the deep sea. 

You can change the sad face of the stranger 
To one of sweet joy and deep peace 
By thinking kind thoughts in the silence 
Or speaking in love and God's grace. 

By seeing the good that is present 
In the one that is troubled and sad, 

And doing some good deed of kindness, 

You can make the lone heart bright and glad. 

A double wedding was being prepared for at Alzaro's 
father's home. The decorations were given over entire- 
ly to the Japanese, and they were taking great pains, 
transforming every nook and corner that could be so 
handled into beautiful Japanese effects. 

The new homes of Alzaro and Homer were being 
rushed forward to completion as rapidly as possible, 
with a double force of workmen under one of the best 
foremen that could be secured. 

Across the continent, the party composed of the 
Haywards, Mr. Stanton, Alzaro and Lorane, with a 
maid, were busily preparing for their trip to California. 

A few days before the date set for their departure, 


86 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


Mr. and Mrs. Hayward and their niece bade good bye 
to Westol, their beautiful country home. They thought 
they had never seen it so lovely, as springtime was al- 
ways appreciated in New York, and all the more after 
such a severe winter, so that this spring seemed un- 
usually perfect and exquisite in its beauty. Lorane 
and Alzaro, devoted to the perfections of their own 
native state, confessed that they had never seen a more 
beautiful home than Westol. 

Mr. Hayward and Mr. Stanton selected one of the 
finest parlor cars for the journey, equipped with every- 
thing that would make their trip a comfort and pleas- 
ure in traveling, so that they would be as cozy and 
comfortable as in their own apartments in their hotel 
in New York. 

Alzaro wired his home folks the hour of starting and 
the expected time of their arrival at home, providing 
no unseen delays occurred in transit. On the way, 
however, they encountered much delay. There had 
been heavy rain and wind storms, causing much dam- 
age and destruction. 

One afternoon their train pulled into the ruins of a 
small town that but a few hours before had been almost 
completely destroyed by a cyclone, and help of all 
kinds was called for immediately. Mr. Hayward's 
party put aside all considerations of self and their per- 
sonal pleasure, and entered into any kind of work 
where their services seemed the most urgently needed. 

Alzaro, with his great heart of love for suffering hu- 
manity, threw himself into the hardest and most labori- 
ous work wherever required , taking hold so efficiently 
and instructing others in the work of rescue and re- 
storation that he was soon recognized as a leader with 
his practical, helpful ideas, besides proving the best 
workman of all on board the train. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


87 


Lorane through her great spiritual and intuitive heal- 
ing powers administered with wonderful ability to the 
wounded and dying. Mr. Hayward and his wife threw 
themselves into the breach as actively and capably as 
any of the younger people, Mr. Stanton being a close 
second. Mrs. Hayward provided hot drinks and sand- 
wiches for as many as she could accommodate. 

After the track was cleared of all obstructions and 
the train ready to proceed on its way, Mrs. Hayward 
found that Lorane was missing. Alzaro and Mr. Hay- 
ward notified the trainmen that the young lady of the 
party had not made her appearance and not to start 
until she was found. 

They all started in different directions to search for 
her, arranging that whoever discovered her should 
have the engineer notify them by blowing the whistle 
of the locomotive a long, loud blast. 

You may know there was some excitement, until 
the sound of Alzaro’s voice notifying the engineer was 
heard almost as distinctly as the following whistle, as 
he called, “Hoo, hoo! The lost is found and is all 
right !!’ 

Lorane had been looking after a poor fam- 
ily, father, mother, and four children, who had lost 
everything, all having been blown clear away except an 
old, dilapidated stable, which some freak of the cyclone 
had left standing. The mother and one child were 
badly injured. Lorane made them as comfortable as 
she could in the short time and with the limited ma- 
terials at her command. 

She had hired a man and had him carry almost 
everything from the car that she thought would make 
them comfortable. Lorane shared her own clothes 
and bedding and all the provisions, not leaving enough 


88 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


for her own comforts, so deep were their hearts moved 
by the unfortunate man's sufferings who had every- 
thing taken away by the recent storm. 

The party gave everything they could spare to the 
suffering ones, and formed a committee to distribute to 
each according to his needs. They all regretted deeply 
having to leave the afflicted ones so soon. 

Alzaro wired his father that they could not be at the 
station at the time they had expected on account of 
some damages on the road caused by a recent storm, 
but would wire them later the exact time they would 
arrive. 

The remainder of the journey was spent in simple 
games, reading good books or conversing on every con- 
genial and bright topic the party could think of, never 
once alluding to the horrors they had witnessed a few 
hours before. They all knew by experience that the 
least said or thought about any sad event the sooner 
it would be forgotten. 

They arrived at their destination in California nine 
hours later. Homer and the Stanton family were at 
the station to meet them with their big touring car to 
take the party home. 

It was a happy reunion between Alzaro and his 
uncle with the family and a joyful forming of acquaint- 
ances with all the strangers. They were very anxious 
to see the little songbird Alzaro had praised so much 
and had won for his own, as well as Lorane’s uncle and 
auntie about whom she had written so much in her 
letters to Louise. 

Words could not be found to express the pleasure 
they all manifested on reaching the Stanton home, 
where the Japanese were still doing all in their power 
in their own artistic way to beautify every part of house 
and grounds. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


89 


The Stantons had invited the whole party to make 
their commodious home their headquarters, which 
agreeable invitation was cordially accepted. Several 
Japanese families had been engaged to assist in all 
kinds of work required in preparing for their visitors 
and the subsequent wedding. So you may be sure 
there was something doing all the while to keep things 
going smoothly right along. 

Finally the day for the double wedding was an- 
nounced and the guests invited. The Stantons were 
very original people, following to a marked degree their 
own ideas. And whenever a new proposition came up 
they all consulted with each other as to the best course 
to pursue. As a rule they did not follow the ways of 
the world, but acted as their own consciousness 
dictated. 

Louise especially had many new ideas concerning the 
wedding day. The guests were to be the members of 
the little church and Sunday school, both old and 
young. 

The brides were to wear simple white net, made over 
some very soft, lustrous goods suitable for wedding 
gowns, with natural orange blossoms gathered from 
their own orange tres. They were to wear no orna- 
ments but their rings. No presents were to be given 
outside of the family. All the children were to be 
dressed in pale blue and pale pink, equally apportioned, 
according to the plans decided upon by Louise and 
Lorane for the march, the color scheme throughout the 
entire house and grounds being pale blue, pale pink and 
white. 

The whole lower front yard facing the road was 
five hundred feet wide, with a broad driveway on either 
side. Near this driveway entered from the outside, 


90 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


walks on the side circled through the lawn up to the 
center walk that led up to the residence, forming a half 
moon shaped plot of ground. In each corner of this 
crescent plot the Japanese had formed a star in beauti- 
fully colored flowers, constituting one of the most ex- 
quisitely beautiful and artistically designed bits of land- 
scape gardening, such as none but a real artist could 
produce. 

The upper lawn, near the house was adorned with 
some very rare shrubs and flowering trees, with here 
and there a bed of the most fragrant and delicately 
tinted flowers that could be obtained. 

In the center of the half moon a highly polished plat- 
form had been placed, over which hung a large bell, 
covered with delicate pink, blue and white flowers, 
arranged so as to represent the American flag on four 
sides of the bell. A wistaria vine in full bloom from 
the lower edges, its long, trailing flowers forming a 
beautiful fringe around the base of the bell. 

Little rustic tables and chairs were placed all around, 
ready for the luncheon to be served as soon as the 
ceremony was finished. On either side of the wide 
walks leading from the house and encircling the cres- 
cent shaped plat of ground were rows of Japanese 
cherry blossoms, arranged so as to form an arbor over 
the walks. Some of the flowers were natural, although 
the greater part were artificial, made by the clever 
fingers of the Japanese decorators, whose work was so 
perfect that it would take the clearest vision to detect 
the difference between the products of art and nature. 

The morning of the wedding day had arrived. It 
was one of those balmy spring mornings, when every- 
thing seems to know that something unusual is going 
to happen and all nature is ready and willing to join 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


91 


in a glad jubilee with the merry dancers that would 
soon gather at the Stanton’s home on this day of all 
days, to participate in the festivities that have so long 
been in course of preparation. 

The whole neighborhood had taken the deepest in- 
terest and the affair had been talked of for several miles 
around Fairbanks. 

The guests began to arrive, all making themselves 
at home, taking off their hats and wraps and looking 
after themselves in general. 

At 10 o’clock the musicians arrived, and immediately 
began rendering their selections, filling the atmosphere 
around the Stantons’ home with soft, sweet melodies. 

The first number they played was, “Love in Idleness,” 
a very appropriate selection for this occasion as well 
as one that would cheer the souls of all music lovers. 

The dew still lingered on leaves and flowers, and the 
perfume from orange blossoms, hyacinths and other 
fragrant blooms made it seem as if the windows of 
heaven were opened to shower down incense on the 
bridal couple, while Mother Earth offered her tribute 
of beauty, love and grandeur. 

The little feathered songsters round about, inspired 
by man’t sweet music, burst forth with their shrill 
musical notes, to which the musicians listened with 
deep interest. A mocking bird that had made its home 
in a large magnolia tree filled the air with its vibrant, 
tireless trills, echoing back the notes of oboe, clarinet, 
flute, or whatever other instrument happened to take 
its fancy. 

The noon hour was near at hand. The children were 
called together and placed in line to begin their march. 

At the tap of the wedding bell the musicians sprang 
a surprise on the brides and grooms by sounding the 


92 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


bugle call just as the bell was ready to tap. It came 
as a surprise to all, and much intensified the enjoyment 
of all the guests as well as of the brides and grooms. 

Then as the big bell tapped its summons, brides and 
grooms made their appearance. The first notes of the 
wedding march rang out. The bridesmaids led the 
march, the brides next, the grooms and groomsmen in 
the rear, the children following close behind, all step- 
ping in unison with the strains of the wedding march. 

When they reached the parting of the ways that led 
around the crescent, the brides and bridesmaids turned 
to the right and the grooms and groomsmen to the left, 
meeting at the center in the arbor under the beautifully 
decorated bell. There the respective fathers gave their 
daughters to the men of their choice. 

The moving rites of the ceremony over, the minister 
pronounced the twain one, according to the laws of our 
country. The musicians were seated between the arbor 
and the boulevard in front of Mr. Stanton's place, a 
bandstand having been erected and decorated for this 
day's festival. There they had played soft, sweet strains 
all during the wedding service, which changed to joy- 
ous notes of exultancy as the young couples stood re- 
ceiving congratulations and greetings afterward.. They 
also played during the wedding luncheon, and, after 
partaking of the delicious refreshments themselves, 
furnished music all afternoon for the dancers. 

That evening the happy couples took the train, in- 
tending to go to Honolulu and other places of interest 
to spend their joint honeymoons, taking with them the 
blessings of loved relatives, friends and acquaintances. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


93 


CHAPTER XI. 

Uncle Tom’s New Business Proposition. 

A few days after the wedding festivities Uncle Tom 
remarked to his brother : “How long will it be before 
something else happens? It makes me feel sort o’ 
lonesome, this settling down after so much excitement 
— like there was a slump in business or a drop in the 
money market. It is very much like one had lost his 
best friend or a much treasured article, or something 
of that sort. It’s difficult to find words to express the 
feeling. 

“I believe I would like to live in a whirl of excite- 
ment all the time, especially of the kind we have just 
been having. It makes one feel as if the Elixir of Life 
had dropped its love balm into the recesses of the 
heart.” 

The two brothers sat silently for sometime, neither 
speaking, but both thinking very deeply. Mr. Stanley 
Stanton had had a vision of a great change in his 
brother Tom’s life and affairs, but had not mentioned 
it even to his wife, fearing it might be a foolish fancy, so 
had concluded that he would keep silent and let matters 
pursue their own course. 

Uncle Tom’s mind of late had been filled with new 
visions of a home of his own in Southern California. 
He had never hitherto entertained the idea that a wo- 
man could add to a man’s happiness or be of any as- 
sistance in accumulating money. Indeed, he thought 
their main object in life was to spend a man’s money. 


94 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


Therefore he had never given women much place in 
his mentality, or if he did just thought of them as being 
a sort of necessary evil, thrown in to make a variety 
in the constitution of the world's affairs. 

Of late, however, since visiting his brother's family, 
a new light had crossed his path. He found himself 
enjoying the companionship of children as never be- 
fore, and found women more interesting and the idea 
of a home life more fascinating. 

The building of Alzaro's and Louise's darling little 
bungalows, with their suggestion of a charming out- 
look for the future, doubtless had its inuflence. Then 
the newly arranged gardens and the planting of shrub- 
bery and fruit trees gave, he thought, new “pep" to 
life, while the hundreds and one details connected with 
the making of the new homes all tended to add to his 
feeling that being an old bachelor was rather a failure. 
He saw that there is something in life worth while 
when lived for and with others, making one feel like 
living for ages. 

All these new suggestions were now coursing their 
way through Uncle Tom's mind, filling his mental at- 
mosphere with pleasanter ideas than had ever before 
occupied his attention. 

Later on, when the brothers were taking their usual 
morning stroll through the orange and lemon groves, 
Uncle Tom confided in his brother Stanley the strange 
visions that were so mysteriously forcing themselves 
upon him and asked his brother's advice and assistance 
in solving these problems, for which he himself could 
not find a solution. 

Still Stanley remained silent, until Tom remarked : 
“I hope I haven't sprung a question too hard for you ; 
have I?" 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


95 


“Oh, no, no ! I was just thinking.” 

“I know,” Tom continued, “that you have been all 
through this in your earlier days, so it appeared to me 
that if you would jog your memory a little bit you 
might think of something that would give me a clue 
as to what course to follow. Just treat me as a teacher 
would in assisting a pupil who was stalled on a mathe- 
matical problem and could not figure his way out. 
And what do you say to having the widow Green and 
her children come and spend the day and help us to 
get better acquainted ?” 

“Well, well! You caught my idea,” exclaimed Stan- 
ley. “We are going to have Mrs. Green and her chil- 
dren down tomorrow to help Elizabeth about some 
housework. Her good taste, common sense and will- 
ingness to help everywhere are very valuable to us 
when any extra work is needed. So, Tom, if you 
don't mind, in the morning you may take the electric 
car and go over after them. We will not have very 
much to do, but will spend the day in visiting, romping 
with the children and helping little Tommy exercise his 
pets, which gives the children so much amusement.” 

“All right,” returned Tom ; “that is rich and I feel 
sure will work out right. Thank you, brother ! I will 
be up early in the morning and carry out your plans.” 

Sure enough, the next morning Uncle Tom rose 
earlier than usual, with a smile upon his face and a 
twinkle in his eyes, ready to do his brother's bidding. 

The sun rose above the hilltops, spreading its golden 
rays over hills, orchards and gardens as far as the eyes 
could see. The balmy atmosphere of a Southern Cali- 
fornia spring day fanned the cheeks and brows of all 
lovers of nature. The invigorating scent of orange 
blossoms filled the whole valley. What wonder that 


96 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


Uncle Tom's heart was filled with joy unspeakable, 
listening to the musical notes of the countless feathered 
songsters that flitted from tree to tree as he drove along 
past tall eucalyptus groves or spreading pepper trees 
up the canyon to the home where Mrs. Green and her 
little children lived? 

The widow had five little ones in her tiny abode, her 
own three and two of her widowed sister's, who had 
but recently passed on to join her husband in the Great 
Beyond, leaving her children to her sister's tender care. 

Mrs. Green was delighted when she saw who was 
driving the car. She had learned to admire and respect 
Mr. Thomas Stanton above all other men of her ac- 
quaintance. He was very kind and gentle with the 
children and paid so much attention to the poor and 
needy, seeing that they had their equal share with the 
more fortunate, that to know was to admire him. 

Uncle Tom was like his brother Stanley. He had a 
big, generous heart, and gave largely to charitable in- 
stitutions, — hospitals, orphans' homes, and so on, in 
New York, and now in California he also saw great op- 
portunities for charitable work. 

As Mr. Stanton drove up to Mrs. Green's cottage 
she and all the children were out in the front yard 
arranging some flower beds and all clapped their 
hands with joy. They had all learned to love Mr. 
Stanton for his kindness to them and it made them 
happy to see him coming. They know too they were 
going to have a nice car ride and were pleased when 
Mr. Stanton told them they were all invited to his 
brother's home to spend the day. They were all de- 
lighted to have the pleasure of another day at the 
Stanton's home where they enjoyed so much playing 
with Tommy's pets. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


97 


Mrs. Green and the children gave vent to their 
cheerfulness all along the way, laughing and finding 
the funny side of everything, and every turn of the 
road suggested some bright, happy thought as they 
passed by. 

As Uncle Tom drove up to his brother’s house, little 
Tommy was out with his four goats harnessed and 
hitched up to the tiny cart, ready for the sport of the 
day. Nothing pleased Uncle Tom more than to help 
the children with their innocent games and assist them 
over their little rough places. 

The close of the day found Uncle Tom very well 
acquainted with Mrs. Green. They had conversed on 
many subjects that were interesting to both. He was 
surprised to hear her express herself so brightly and 
intelligently on many lines of business, while her high 
and exalted ideas as to the bringing up of children 
caused him to entertain the deepest respect and ad- 
miration for her. He complimented her on her broad 
outlook in that respect, adding that she should really 
be the matron of an orphans’ home. 

Mrs. Green thanked him, laughingly, and said : “I 
am having the necessary training and experience 
needed for such a position in the care of my own little 
ones., here in my own home.” 

Uncle Tom found Mrs. Green so interesting that he 
took great pleasure in taking Gracie and Tommy up 
to Mrs. Green’s to play with the other children while 
he and Mrs. Green talked. He told her that his object 
in life now was the establishing of an orphans’ home, 
but that he found it rather difficult to do business on 
that line alone, but felt sure that if he had some good 
trustworthy woman to help him that he would have 
much better chance of succeeding. 


98 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


He asked her advice on the subject. At first she 
hesitated to answer him. Finally, as if awakening 
from a dream, she assured him that she thought his 
ideas were most excellent. Women naturally have a 
different feeling toward children than mankind has, 
and intuitively know the little things that children 
require to make them healthy, vigorous and happy. 

The subject was discussed between them, pro and 
con, going into every little detail freely, but the prob- 
lem nearest Mr. Stanton's heart seemed the most diffi- 
cult to approach. He looked out and saw the shadows 
lengthening and the day far spent. He called Tommy 
and Grace to gather their toys together. 

“It is time to return home," he told them. “Your 
parents will be wondering what has become of us all.” 

At the dinner table that night Mrs. Stanton asked 
Uncle Tom how he had enjoyed the day. 

“Oh, very much, indeed,” he replied. “I think Mrs. 
Green is the most interesting woman to talk business 
with, on all lines, that I ever conversed with, and she 
expresses her ideas so clearly and simply that any 
one must Understand. I think she would make a good 
partner in almost any kind of enterprise. Her busi- 
ness facilities are far superior to those of any woman I 
ever met. We were discussing the orphans' home 
problem today, and I see that she has fine ideas and 
all that she needs is a chance to put them in effect. 
She would be a bright and shining light as the matron 
of such a home.” 

A pleased but knowing smile passed between Stanley 
and his wife, as they agreed with Tom, and Mrs. Stan- 
ton remarked : “We have been acquainted with Mrs. 
Green for several years and always found her to be an 
honest, upright lovely character far above the wealthier 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


99 


class. She is always cheerful and happy, looks on the 
sunny side of life and trusts implicitly on God’s all 
providing law for health, peace and prosperity and 
asks God’s protecting care for all problems that comes 
in her pathway. She is a good, kind, gentle mother 
for her own and for her sister’s children is not partial 
in any respect whatever, and gives them all the same 
kind attention.” 


100 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


CHAPTER XII. 

The Reward of Love. 

One morning as the two brothers were walking up to 
look after the planting of some fruit trees on the boys’ 
ranches, their conversation turned to Mrs. Green and 
the condition in which her property was involved. 

Uncle Tom told his brother there was a heavy mort- 
gage on her place, which if not lifted soon would cause 
her to lose all she had. 

“Well, well!” exclaimed Stanley. “We must look 
after this and help her out of her trouble. You know 
we are commanded to care for the fatherless and 
widows. So here is an opportunity and even if it re- 
quires the tenth of our income we certainly couldn’t 
use it to serve God in a better way.” 

“Brother Stanley,” said Tom, meditatively, “why is 
a business proposition with a woman so much more 
perplexing than with a man?” 

“It must be you do not approach a woman in the 
right way. You have to deal with a woman altogether 
differently from what you do with a man. In a busi- 
ness you undertake with a man you make up your mind 
you are going to win. You are sure of your ground, if 
your motives are right and you have considered the 
affair from the standpoint of the Golden Rule. Know- 
ing that all concerned will be benefited by the transac- 
tion, you forge ahead without any doubt whatsoever. 
You are confident that success will result from any line 
of business you choose to take up. You approach a 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


101 


man in a cold, sordid, hard business way, and he re- 
sponds in the same attitude of mind, both realizing 
that honesty is the best policy and that an upright, 
straight, honest proposition never fails to bring satis- 
faction in the end. 

“But a good, motherly woman, being naturally of a 
loving disposition, needs a little gentle coaxing before 
she can make up her mind to any proposition. A well- 
balanced woman takes the question up, views it from 
all sides, turns it over and over and weighs it well be- 
fore deciding on an answer. 

“So you see, Tom, if you do not prove to her that 
you are capable of making a good, loving, true com- 
panion and a kind, gentle father, she may turn the 
the proposal down as worthless ! She would naturally 
prefer to go on in her own independent way, feeling 
that she has taken the true course and escaped the 
cursed yoke of matrimony shared with one unworthy 
and rejoicing that she is still a free woman.” 

Uncle Tom pondered deeply in his heart over all the 
new ideas his brother had given him, and resolved to 
proceed and win the good will and love of the fair, 
gentle widow, Mrs. Green, feeling that the remainder 
of his life would be blessed if he could have her as a 
faithful, loving companion. 

He called to see her the next morning, driving over 
in the large new car he had just purchased. He was 
determined that Mrs. Green and her five children 
should have the first ride in it, and invited them to go 
with him on a long jaunt, to the beach, or anywhere 
she would like to go. 

Mrs. Green was agreeably surprised, and although 
Tom had found her busily engaged in doing a good 
sized washing for the children, she gladly put it aside 


102 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


and dressed the children for their pleasure trip. 
Meanwhile Uncle Tom made himself useful nailing 
some loose boards on the chicken corral, a recent 
heavy wind having torn them loose. 

Mrs. Green dressed her oldest boy first, and like all 
boys he had to rush out to the chicken pens to assist in 
nailing on the boards. He told Uncle Tom that his 
mother had been wishing some one would come along 
and help her get the corral repaired. 

Little Howard, a bright, jolly boy, eight years of 
age, felt that he was capable of giving Uncle Tom in- 
structions in repairing any building or anything else 
that needed repairs any place on the ranch. 

Uncle Tom and Howard had taken many pleasant 
strolls together, looking over the small chicken ranch 
and building little pens for the small chickens and 
turkeys. Uncle Tom saw a bright future for Howard, 
and determined to assist him in getting a good educa- 
tion. 

Pretty soon all the children came running out, glad 
to have the opportunity of going to the beach and de- 
lighted with the prospect of a ride in the fine new car. 
With its silver mountings, highly polished maroon 
body and shining top, it certainly was a beauty. 

Mr. Stanton, Howard and Ebell, the oldest girl, oc- 
cupied the front seat, while Mrs. Green and an old 
friend who had come from a neighboring town to spend 
the day, occupied the back. Mr. Stanton had placed 
the two low seats for the children, so there was ample 
room for all. 

You may know this was a happy party as they started 
on their day’s outing. And none was happier than 
Uncle Tom, who thanked kind Providence for its good- 
ness in providing him with means he could use to 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


103 


help those who were deserving and were not able to 
do for themselves. 

The children enjoyed sailing along the smooth 
boulevard, chatting merrily of the various objects that 
attracted their attention as they wound in and out and 
around the curves, bringing new scenery into view and 
affording them much interest all along the way. 

Finally they came in sight of the grand old ocean, 
its white-capped waves stretching out as far as the eyes 
could see, to where the clear blue sky stooped down to 
kiss the placid waters, rippling in softly transparent 
green tints to the far horizon. 

Mrs. Green had brought along rompers for the chil- 
dren, so they could paddle in the waves along the shore 
to their hearts' content. Uncle Tom soon attired him- 
self in his bathing suit, and throwing his long coat 
over it started the children to play different games 
before he took his plunge in the surf. 

Mrs. Green, while supervising the children's dress- 
ing before they left home had prepared a luncheon to 
take along for their picnic. She had filled a large 
kettle with newly laid eggs gathered from her own 
pens and a pail with butter fresh from the churn, made 
out of the cream furnished by her own Jersey cows. 

Uncle Tom had provided all kinds of the best fruit 
that he could find in the market and bought several 
loaves of sweet, wholesome bread, along with different 
varieties of good mixtures for sandwiches. 

At advantageous points overlooking the beach tables 
and seats were provided for just such family picnics. 
Mrs. Green spread her long white tablecloth on a table 
near the water, where the children could watch the 
waves as they rolled in, for the tide was now coming 
in and the waves were rolling high. 


104 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


After luncheon, the children were again dressed, and 
the party walked around to see the different amuse- 
ments. Some of the younger ones had never been to 
the beach before, and the merry-go-’round and other 
attractions had a deep fascination for them. Uncle 
Tom was willing to have them see and take part in 
any of these attractions that Mrs. Green thought best 
for them. 

It was late in the afternoon when they started home, 
happy in the thought of another long car ride before 
them. 

They arrived home in time to milk the cows and feed 
the fowls. Mrs. Green then gave the children some 
bread and milk, undressed and put them to bed, a tired 
but happy, contented lot. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


105 


CHAPTER XIII. 

Uncle Tom Still Hopeful. 

That night, after Uncle Tom had eaten dinner with 
his brother’s family and had talked freely of the day’s 
amusements, he retired to his own apartment, to medi- 
tate over what course to pursue in regard to the future. 
He was not exactly disappointed with the outcome of 
the day’s outing, but he had hoped that during the 
course of it he might have an opportunity to talk with 
Mrs. Green on the subject that was now dearer to his 
heart than any other, yet seemed the hardest to manage 
to approach with her. 

Still, though such opportunity had been denied him, 
he was not in the least discouraged, but resolved to 
make another effort sometime in the very near future. 
He asked Divine Wisdom to guide him in this affair, 
as in all other undertakings, and to give him patience 
and wisdom to do the right thing to bring about the 
best results for all. 

He knew from past experience that when he obeyed 
the highest promptings of his own soul the results were 
always satisfactory. Whenever any delay occurred in 
any proposition he had found that it was for his good, 
sometimes showing him how to build a surer founda- 
tion and entertain a deeper trust in the all-providing 
law of Divine Love, that is always coursing its way 
through all business transactions, as well as every other 
affair in experience, and is the sure protection of all 
those who will rely wholly on its guidance. 


106 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


The next morning Uncle Tom and his brother and 
family all drove over to Mrs. Green’s home. They 
wished to talk further with her about the steps to take 
to release her place from its indebtedness. They went 
on to tell her that they had plenty of means in their 
own possession, saved up for charity’s use, and always 
employed for the benefit of widows and orphans wher- 
ever their best judgment suggested or the need seemed 
to be the greatest. 

They further said that if she was willing to trust 
them they would take the matter up for her, look after 
the title, lift the mortgage and pay off all indebtedness,, 
giving her a secured deed and freeing her from all 
worry as to where money would come from to provide 
for all future needs. 

Mrs. Green was so overcome with gratitude that she 
could not find words to express the thankfulness in 
her heart, but sat quietly with tears of joy streaming 
down her angelic face. Mrs. Stanton broke the silence 
by saying : 

“There is only one way we have of loving our neigh- 
bors as ourselves, as we are commanded to do, and that 
is when we see a fellow being in distress not to shut up 
our bowels of compassion and mercy and allow our 
brothers and sisters to suffer and go hungry. I know, 
my dear Mrs. Green, you will take this in the right 
spirit, and give all the glory and praise to God, who 
gives his trusting children all the good things of life 
to enjoy.” 

Mrs. Green wiped the tears from her eyes, and with 
hands folded across her breast thanked God for his 
unspeakable mercies and bounteous gifts. Then turn- 
ing to her kind friends, she said : 

“It seems as if the windows of Heaven have opened. 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


107 


and God is blessing me with goodness, pressed down 
and running over! Now, let me say to you all that I 
believe this goodness from you comes to me in answer 
to my repeated prayers. I have asked God in his own 
wise way to provide for me and my little ones. This is 
why I am so overjoyed. And to you, kind friends, I can 
never find words adequate to express my deep gratitude 
for this and all your kindness to me since my trouble 
began. God will reward you for the deeds you have 
done in his name, and pour out his rich blessings upon 
you.” 

As the Stantons arose to take their leave, Uncle Tom 
took Mrs. Green’s proffered hand in both his own, and 
said, in deep, tender tones : 

“Mrs. Green, you have pronounced a blessing upon 
us that will accompany us all through life! And we 
will provide, with the help of God, a way so that you 
and your little ones will never know want in the future. 
Good bye, and God bless you !” 

Mr. Thomas Stanton closed a deal with one of the 
neighbors for 150 acres of rich valley land adjoining 
Mrs. Green’s little ranch. He intended to begin im- 
mediately to transform it into a beautiful home, pro- 
vided with everything the heart could, desire in order to 
make it homelike and attractive. 

He would need quite a force of men to do all this, 
and these men would require a good boarding place 
where they would be provided with the best of food. 
He mentioned this to his brother and brother’s wife 
and Mrs. Stanton right away said : 

“Why, Mrs. Green is a good cook. I think she would 
like to take the work. Suppose we drive down and see 
her about it. It won’t do any harm to find out if she 
feels equal to undertaking it.” 


108 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


Accordingly, immediately after dinner the entire 
Stanton family drove over to Mrs. Green’s, to spend the 
evening. On their arrival they found Mrs. Green, her 
friend and the five children seated around the supper 
table partaking of their humble evening meal, all ex- 
pressing cheerfulness, the children with clean, happy 
faces and hair combed and shining. The table-linen 
was fresh and snowy white and everything inside and 
outside seemed in immaculate order. 

The children ate qiuetly, except now and then they 
would think of something funny they saw at their 
memorable outing at the beach or on their way there or 
returning. As each child finished eating, the napkin 
was folded, and all remained qiuetly in their seats until 
all had finished the meal. Then Mrs. Green inclined 
her head to them as she arose and without further direc- 
tion the larger ones placed the chairs and helped the 
younger ones with the same order as if no visitors were 
present. The table was soon cleared of the dishes and 
the games for the children brought out. 

Mrs. Stanton, drawing Mrs. Green a little to one side, 
asked her how she would like to board a few men, just 
to give them three meals a day. Uncle Tom and his 
brother overheard the query and joined in the conver- 
sation. Uncle Tom stated he had purchased the ranch 
adjoining her on the south and would require men to 
set out and cultivate fruit trees and make all the im- 
provements necessary for a fruit ranch. 

Mrs. Stanton said : “Of course, if you don’t feel equal 
to it you must not give it another thought. We con- 
cluded that we had better mention it to you first before 
making a proposition to any one else or deciding on any 
other arrangements.” 

Mrs. Stanton continued: “We will furnish every- 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


109 


thing needed. You will have to have some one to 
assist you, of course. We would not think of allowing 
you to undertake it alone without any one to help you 
and it will provide a good income for you.” 

“Think it over and let us know soon,” Uncle Tom 
broke in. 

“Oh, I know I can do the cooking all right, if every- 
thing else is furnished in the way of dishes, cooking 
utensils, and so on, and I believe Mrs. Lay here will 
help me. She is a very good cook and I would be de- 
lighted to have her come and live with me. We have 
been friends from childhood, attended the same school 
and helped each other over all our little difficulties. I 
am sure we will both enjoy the privilege of earning 
some extra money. Mrs. Lay has two children to sup- 
port by her own daily work, with no assistance what- 
ever from any one. I feel sure she will be glad to bring 
her children out here and live with me awhile, as long 
as there is work of any kind for her to do ; won’t you 
dear?” 

“Nothing could please me better, dear Claria,” the 
delighted woman answered. 

The sandman had begun to visit the children. The 
Stantons, thanking Mrs. Green for a pleasant evening, 
arose to take their departure. Mrs. Green assured 
them that they could depend on her and Mrs. Lay to 
prepare the food for the workmen, and Mrs. Stanton 
and the other visitors expressed their pleasure in meet- 
ing and making the acquaintance of her friend and 
thanked Mrs. Lay for her willingness to assist in cook- 
ing for the men. 

“And now,” Mrs. Stanton continued, “I want you to 
come and visit us often and every time that Mrs. 
Green and the children come. Whenever possible for 


110 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


you to arrange it, you must come to spend the day, 
bringing your little ones with you. ,, 

The work on Uncle Tom’s ranch progressed rapidly. 
Meantime, Uncle Tom as well as the ranch was being 
transformed. He entered into all kinds of work, skip- 
ped and ran around like a school boy. He declared that 
the balmy breezes of California were filling his veins 
with new life. And new thoughts were filling his mind. 
He was most thankful that he could be of some use and 
help those less fortunate than himself, especially along 
financial lines where he felt most at home. Above all, 
he was thankful to the good Lord for changing his 
miserly, stony heart to a more loving and cheerful one. 

“Causing me,” he reflected, “to intensify my giving 
and bestowing upon me the understanding of giving in 
the right spirit. For the spirit of true benefaction 
blesses all who give freely and bountifully, knowing 
that the true source of all our blessings is working for 
the benefit of all, from the greatest to the least.” 

Mrs. Green prepared such good food for the workmen 
that the boys regretted that the time must come when 
their work would be finished and they would have to 
leave Mr. Stanton and their good meals. Uncle Tom, 
who took his noon meals with the workmen, remarked 
to his brother’s wife that he had never eaten better food 
anywhere. She jokingly rejoined that Mrs. Green evi- 
dently knew the way to a man’s heart was through 
good, clean, wholesome cooking! 

And so the busy, happy days went by, and Uncle 
Tom’s increasing content was so manifest that it was 
no surprise to any one to learn that he had won the 
heart and hand of Mrs. Green. The engaged couple an- 
nounced their plans very simply and unaffectedly, stat- 
ing that they would have a quiet wedding in the little 


WITH NEW VARIATIONS 


111 


church and then move into their new home which Mr. 
Stanton was so beautifully preparing for Mrs. Green, 
his bride-to-be, and her children. 

This announcement was soon followed by the return 
of the two happy young wedded couples from their 
honeymoon trip. The shopping for their new homes 
begun, and they were installed there with much con- 
tent. The parents and other relatives had presented 
them with many handsome and valuable gifts. Lor- 
ane’s aunt and uncle gave her $50,00 all out at good 
interest ,and presented Alzaro with a fine Edison vic- 
trola and a Buick auto. But perhaps the greatest sur- 
prise was the information that their beloved horses, 
Black Star and Silver-Mane, had been shipped from 
New York and were at their disposal in their new home. 

Everything was provided by thoughtful relatives for 
the young couples that would make housekeeping both 
easy and a delight. The young folks decided to con- 
tinue their lessons in music, Lorane on the harp and 
Louise the piano, while they would all go on with vocal 
instruction. 

They decided to arrange so their music teachers 
would come out and spend the day when they took 
their lessons. It would be a good day's work for all. But 
young minds are bright and entertain high ambitions, 
so work will be entered into with the thought of suc- 
cess and all laborious effort will be eliminated and con- 
sidered a privileged stepping-stone to greater success 
and the accomplishment of higher ideals. 

The Stantons and several other wealthy and high- 
minded families were contemplating taking up a work 
that should be of benefit to all who came within the 
range of its influence. 

So they all joined in praising God with grateful 


112 


OLD LOVE STORIES 


hearts, the great Benefactor of all who put their trust 
implicitly in his all-providing and unerring laws. 

They wanted to establish a great center of truth,, 
where the knowledge should be imparted that those 
who adhere strictly to the first commandment and 
make its teachings practical in their everyday life 
would prove by the demonstration in each individual 
case the Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man. 
For that is the law God requires us to fulfill to be suc- 
cessful, harmonious and happy in this present life, that 
is so beautifully and orderly arranged and that God has 
given us the freedom to enjoy. 

Remember the promises are to the faithful ones who 
love to do the will of God/ 

LOVE 

A love that loves with a love that’s lovely 
Is the love of my Father to me. 

No matter how far I have wandered, 

How many mistakes I have made, 

I can hear Love calling me homeward 
From morning till close of the day. 

I see this pure love in the sunset, 

In the stars that adorn the blue sky, 

In the flowers that bloom on the hillside, 

In the tint of the clouds floating high. 

I see in my brothers and sisters 
This love that is lovely and fair; 

I feel their dear hearts beat with gladness 
As they think of the Father’s fond care. 

I can see all the world is transforming 
Till Edenic state it shall prove, 

All hearts in a union of oneness 
Through the power of our Father’s sweet love. 
THE END. 




















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